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News: Hospital Medicine

All entries for Hospital Medicine

HSE wants consultants compliant by May 2010

Mary Anne Kenny | 17 March 2010

The Health Service Executive (HSE) must ensure that those hospital consultants who are not adhering to the stipulated public/private mix of the consultant contract are not allowed to continue with this practice, the Dáil Public Accounts Committee has insisted. HSE... Read more

ABI Ireland gets US brain-injury experts for rehab training

Aoife Connors | 17 March 2010

Staff from Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Ireland were among the first Irish people to complete specialised training in brain-injury rehabilitation. For the first time, the training, which was provided by the US-based Academy of Brain Injury Specialists (ACBIS), was held... Read more

More emergency medicine consultants needed - IAEM

Laura Finn | 16 March 2010

The Irish Association for Emergency Medicine (IAEM) has called on the HSE to urgently bring forward a comprehensive programme for consultant expansion to increase the number of senior decision makers in the country’s emergency departments (EDs). With 32 hospitals providing... Read more

Specialist transplant unit plans drawn up

Gary Culliton | 16 March 2010

Detailed proposals for a new specialist transplantation unit at Beaumont will shortly be presented to the HSE. The plan is being drawn up by the hospital’s renal transplant Clinical Director to secure extra specialist staff, when its transplant team is... Read more

ABI Ireland welcomes psychiatric moves

Laura Finn | 16 March 2010

Chief Executive of Acquired Brain Injury Ireland (ABI Ireland) Barbara O’Connell has welcomed the Government’s decision to eliminate inappropriate Victorian-era institutions. Last week, the Government committed itself to moving 1,200 patients from outdated psychiatric institutions to community-based facilities within the... Read more

Clinical indemnity costs €12 per bed-day

Gary Culliton | 15 March 2010

The cost of the Clinical Indemnity Scheme (CIS) is €12 per bed-day in both Category 1 and Category 2 hospitals, a new study has shown. The Health Service Executive paid out €60 million in 2009 in relation to the CIS,... Read more

Shifts not being covered in EDs - IAEM

Laura Finn | 10 March 2010

Unfilled registrar positions in emergency departments have resulted in shifts not being covered and a reduction in the number of doctors on duty, the Irish Association for Emergency Medicine has claimed. The IAEM are seriously concerned with the difficulty emergency... Read more

Tallaght X-ray backlog reported to HIQA last April

10 March 2010

A balance of 23,169 X-rays, relating to approximately 14,000 patients, have yet to be read by a consultant radiologist at Tallaght Hospital, it has emerged. The HSE has begun an investigation into how 58,000 X-rays failed to be reviewed by... Read more

69 consultant posts approved in 2009

Dara Gantly | 10 March 2010

The Health Service Executive (HSE) approved 69 additional permanent consultant posts last year, 20 per cent of which were for public-only contracts. Just five of these new posts were for consultants in emergency medicine, new figures released by HSE National... Read more

New CT scanner for Monaghan Hospital

10 March 2010

The installation of a new CT scanner in Monaghan Hospital is due to be completed by the end of March, the HSE has confirmed. According to Willie Rattigan, Interim Network Manager, Dublin North East Hospital Network, the slight delay has... Read more

Expanded role for Galway manager

Gary Culliton | 09 March 2010

The role of the new general manager for Galway University Hospitals has been expanded to include Portiuncula Hospital and Roscommon County Hospital. IMPACT last week told its members not to co-operate with any move to expand the scope of the... Read more

Letterkenny unit on target

08 March 2010

A new Acute Mental Health Unit is coming to Letterkenny General Hospital. The HSE has signed a Public Works Contract, and building will begin in March, with an agreed construction programme of 12 months. The 34-bed unit will include intensive... Read more

Norovirus causes visitor restrictions at CUH and CUMH

Staff reporter | 05 March 2010

New restrictions have been placed on visitors at Cork University Hospital and Cork University Maternity Hospital Due to norovirus – commonly known as the vomiting bug. At CUH and CUMH, visiting times are restricted to 7:30pm – 8:30pm. One visitor... Read more

Reports on pilot ED projects show gains

Gary Culliton | 04 March 2010

An evaluation report on five pilot emergency department (ED) schemes will be published within weeks. Pilot projects commenced in July 2009 at four sites initially — Beaumont, Tallaght, CUH and Our Lady of Lourdes, Drogheda. A fifth site (the Mid-Western... Read more

IAEM welcomes NCHD changeover date alteration

Staff reporter | 03 March 2010

The Irish Association of Emergency Medicine has welcomed the decision to change the date on which NCHDs take up their 6 or 12 month jobs. Historically this takes place on January 1 and July 1 of any given year. As... Read more

Sight for sore eyes

Gary Culliton | 25 February 2010

Ocular cancer services will be repatriated from Liverpool to Dublin before the summer, Irish Medical Times has learned. This will involve combining the skills of experts at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear and at St Luke’s Hospital, Rathgar.... Read more

Delayed discharge rates rocket again

Dara Gantly | 24 February 2010

The number of delayed discharges nationally last month was the highest since August 2009, Irish Medical Times has learned. While the latest available HSE Performance Report for December showed a slight decrease in delayed discharges compared to November, HSE CEO... Read more

ED report identifies gaps in performance

Gary Culliton | 22 February 2010

The average number of patients waiting for emergency department (ED) admission at 2pm daily last month was 143, the HSE has revealed. “This is the annual peak period and was exacerbated by the high snowfalls, which placed additional demands on... Read more

Psychiatric unit at Beaumont a 'priority'

Gary Culliton | 16 February 2010

The development of a new acute psychiatric unit at Beaumont Hospital is being progressed ‘as a matter of priority’ by the HSE in collaboration with Beaumont Hospital. A site for the unit has been identified and the funding is in... Read more

New MRI system for St James's Hospital

Dara Gantly | 16 February 2010

St James’s Hospital has begun a search for a provider capable of delivering two magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems to the Dublin hospital, one to replace a current system and another as a new installation. In a document issued last... Read more

200 consultants breach work ratio

Gary Culliton | 11 February 2010

Approximately 200 hospital consultants have received warning letters for breaches of their public/private work ratios, the HSE has confirmed. Consultants have nine months to bring their caseload within the ratio specified in their contracts. A joint committee involving the HSE,... Read more

Entry through EDs for diagnostics and access to consultants can be reduced

Gary Culliton | 10 February 2010

HSE Chief Executive Prof Brendan Drumm has said the Executive plans to reduce the number of patients who enter hospitals through EDs to get a consultant opinion or access to diagnostics. Almost 20 per cent of patients admitted through EDs... Read more

HSE plan to end Navan trauma services 'reckless' - INMO

Gary Culliton | 10 February 2010

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Association (INMO) has serious concerns that all ambulance trauma cases will be diverted to Our Lady of Lourdes hospital in Drogheda due to 'severe overcrowding problems' and 'inadequate bed capacity' in the northeast. Major trauma... Read more

DoH responds to EU warning over EWTD

Dara Gantly | 05 February 2010

The Department of Health has officially replied to the European Commission’s Letter of Formal Notice over Ireland’s failure to comply with the European Working Time Directive (EWTD). IMT has learned that Hawkins House met last week’s deadline to supply the... Read more

Long waiting lists set to 'disappear'

Gary Culliton | 05 February 2010

The Chief Executive of the Health Service Executive (HSE), Prof Brendan Drumm, has pledged that long patient waiting lists ‘will disappear’ over the coming months. There has been a reduction of nearly a half in the number of people who... Read more

Beaumont issues traffic warning to ‘rat runners’

Dara Gantly | 04 February 2010

Beaumont Hospital has issued a warning to drivers that the Trim Road entrance to its campus will be closed for a week, from 7am on Monday, February 8 until 7am on Tuesday February 16. The closure is necessary because of... Read more

Harney's assertion that ED overcrowding is improving is rejected by IAEM

Staff reporter | 04 February 2010

Emergency department overcrowding isn’t getting better; it’s getting worse – much worse, according to the Irish Association of Emergency Medicine. Yesterday, on Today with Pat Kenny on RTE Radio 1, the Minister for Health, Mary Harney, declared that overcrowding had... Read more

More hospitals comply with contract mix

Gary Culliton | 03 February 2010

The number of hospitals showing 100 per cent of consultants in compliance with the public/private mix terms of their contracts has risen from two to seven in a month. These are Bantry, Mon-aghan, Roscommon, Tallaght, Naas, Dun Laoghaire and Loughlinstown.... Read more

DCC gives go-ahead for new Crumlin ICU

Dara Gantly | 01 February 2010

Our Lady’s Children’s Hos-pital Crumlin (OLCHC) has been granted planning permission by Dublin City Council (DCC) for a new two-storey intensive care unit (ICU). To be built partially over an existing building on the campus, the unit will comprise 339.8sqm... Read more

Neurologists want model replicated

Niamh Mullen | 01 February 2010

Consultant neurologists at St Vincent’s University Hospital, who increased the number of outpatients seen by changing their practice, have recommended that their new system be implemented throughout the health service. By changing to an outpatient-based, consultant-led service, the team reduced... Read more

Neurologist slams €6m overseas spend on DBS

Gary Culliton | 27 January 2010

The HSE has funded 151 people to travel outside the State to be assessed for a €35,000 procedure, despite the fact that it is available here in Ireland. More than 30 patients per year continue to travel overseas for the... Read more

Complications up from weight-loss surgery

Niamh Mullen | 26 January 2010

A leading Irish obesity clinic is seeing an increasing number of patients who have had ‘quick-fix’ weight-loss surgery performed elsewhere and end up suffering complications. Consultant Endocrinologist Dr Donal O’Shea of St Columcille’s Hospital in Loughlinstown told Irish Medical Times... Read more

Drogheda needs 'urgent attention'

Niamh Mullen | 25 January 2010

No hospital achieved a performance rating of ‘very good’ in the latest HSE HealthStat report. Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda was the only hospital to get a rating of ‘unsatisfactory, requiring urgent attention’.... Read more

System is 'a scandal'

Niamh Mullen | 22 January 2010

Resource allocation in the health service is dysfunctional, according the former director of the Adelaide Society and lecturer in public health at Trinity College. Dr Fergus O’Ferrall said: “Our two-tier health system is a scandal and has led to many... Read more

Unnecessary referrals stretch services

Niamh Mullen | 21 January 2010

Children with an egg allergy are being referred to hospital for the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine unnecessarily and are placing an extra burden on services, according to a study carried out in Cork. The research, published in the... Read more

Connolly has half of urgent colonoscopies

Dara Gantly | 21 January 2010

Almost half of those waiting more than four weeks for urgent colonoscopies are on a waiting list at Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown. According to the latest HSE figures, 8.3 per cent of those on the referral list for an urgent... Read more

Irish surgeon to head Pancreatic Society

Dara Gantly | 18 January 2010

Consultant surgeon and new CEO of Tallaght Hospital, Prof Kevin Conlon, has been elected as the new president of the Pancreatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland (PSGBI). Prof Conlon — who has taken over as CEO of the hospital... Read more

Casemix is 'inappropriate'

Niamh Mullen | 15 January 2010

The organisation representing medical practitioners involved in intensive care medicine has criticised the HSE’s use of the casemix system. It described its use for calculating resource allocation for the care of patients in intensive care units (ICUs) as ‘inappropriate’. The... Read more

Fundamental flaws in Casemix system — IAEM

Niamh Mullen | 14 January 2010

The Irish Association for Emergency Medicine (IAEM) has strongly criticised the current system of hospital budgeting, describing it as being neither clear nor transparent. In a submission to the Expert Group on Resource Allocation and Funding in the Health Sector,... Read more

Co-located hospital meets tax incentive deadline

Dara Gantly | 13 January 2010

The developer behind the proposed co-located hospital at St James’s Hospital finally submitted additional information sought by Dublin City Council (DCC) on 21 December, thus making sure it will be eligible for lucrative tax breaks for private hospitals. Last year’s... Read more

Sprains and fractures up during big freeze

Gary Culliton | 13 January 2010

Emergency departments (EDs) around the country have been busier than usual during the start of 2010, much of which can be attributed to the recent cold snap and the increased number of people presenting with sprains and fractures as a... Read more

St Vincent's Hospital staff are struck down by vomiting bug

Mary Anne Kenny | 12 January 2010

St Vincent’s University Hospital has imposed visitor restrictions due to an outbreak of norovirus among patients and staff. As of early this week, 27 patients were affected by the winter vomiting bug, spread over 14 of the hospital’s 18 wards.... Read more

Blood donors answer Ireland’s call

Niamh Mullen | 12 January 2010

Elective surgeries are no longer at risk of cancellation after almost 1,000 people gave blood last weekend. The Irish Blood Transfusion Service had warned stocks were low due to the bad weather. In order to increase stocks, it set up... Read more

RCSI assets hit by recession

Niamh Mullen | 11 January 2010

The RCSI has not been immune to the recession and saw net assets decrease by almost a half in 2008. The decrease in net assets from €162 million in 2007 to €90 million in 2008 was mainly due to a... Read more

Overcrowded emergency departments 'inundated' with patients slipping on ice

Greg Baxter | 07 January 2010

The Irish Association of Emergency Medicine has reported that Ireland's emergency departments (EDs) have been inundated with large numbers of patients sustaining injuries after falling or slipping on snow and ice over the last three weeks. These injuries are mainly... Read more

NCHD database to be created four years later

Dara Gantly | 18 December 2009

The Health Service Executive (HSE) is set to develop a comprehensive database of all NCHDs and their posts, some four years after the move was first recommended in the Buttimer Report. The Executive has asked experts in the field to... Read more

'Deep clean' promised of Midwestern Regional

Gary Culliton | 17 December 2009

In response to the hygiene report from the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) on the Midwestern Regional Hospital, the HSE has acknowledged that hygiene standards in the hospital are ‘deeply unsatisfactory’. The Executive has put in place a plan... Read more

€8m on treatment abroad

Dara Gantly | 16 December 2009

The National Treatment Purchases Fund (NTPF) has spent nearly €8 million over the past three years on sending patients abroad for treatment. According to new figures, some €7.722 million has been spent by the Fund since 2007 on sending 2,582... Read more

Cancer boost in Galway

Brian Herron | 15 December 2009

The addition of several new facilities at the Galway Clinic could have a ‘significant impact’ on cancer treatment services available in the Galway region, according to a spokesperson. Two new floors will add 46 new inpatient rooms, as well as... Read more

Colonoscopy waits still over 3 months

Gary Culliton | 10 December 2009

November NTPF figures show a total of 852 people waiting more than three months for a colonoscopy, an increase of 189 since September figures were published. This is despite an instruction from Health Minister Mary Harney to the HSE a... Read more

High did-not-attend rates continue

Niamh Mullen | 07 December 2009

Only one of 28 public hospitals in the State is meeting the HSE’s target to reduce ‘did not attend’ (DNA) rates because large numbers of people are not showing up for their outpatient appointments. The most up-to-date figures, for August... Read more

Scheme to reduce costs and infections

Gary Culliton | 26 November 2009

Millions of euro will be saved through the appointment of teams of medical microbiologists, infectious disease physicians and anti-microbial pharmacists in hospitals across the country, a new report has found. The report recommends that every acute hospital should appoint these... Read more

Fetal surgery appointment

23 November 2009

The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) has appointed Professor Jacques Jani as a visiting professor to the Fetal Treatment Programme at the RCSI and Rotunda Hospital. Prof Jani began his tenure as an Honorary Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist... Read more

Sports legend launches paediatric campaign

Niamh Mullen | 18 November 2009

The man named athlete of the century by the International Olympic Committee will visit Ireland and Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin next week. Brazilian footballer Pelé will spend two hours at the hospital on Thursday, November 26 before visiting... Read more

Donor programme need for cystic fibrosis

11 November 2009

Ireland has the highest rate of Cystic Fibrosis (CF) in the world as well as the most severe types, but Irish CF patients do not have sufficient access to quality healthcare. “The present situation in Ireland is completely inadequate,” according... Read more

'Third world' waits two years after Task Force

Gary Culliton | 11 November 2009

Two years after the Emergency Department Task Force report, patients in Emergency Departments (EDs) face ‘third world’ waits of up to 28 hours to be admitted to a hospital ward, despite the HSE’s national target being a maximum of six... Read more

Five-year wait for epilepsy surgery

Gary Culliton | 05 November 2009

Waiting times of between three and five years are typical for patients who require life-saving epilepsy surgery at Beaumont Hospital. Current waiting times stand at up to two years to get an initial appointment to see a neurologist. To then... Read more

Two deaths at Drogheda hospital may be due to C Diff

03 November 2009

Two deaths at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital have been notified to the Coroner as being possibly related to an outbreak of C Diff (Clostridium Difficile). The outbreak of C Diff at the Drogheda hospital has comprised 10 confirmed cases... Read more

Cork hospital has most MRSA cases

Niamh Mullen | 29 October 2009

Cork University Hospital (CUH) has reported the highest number of MRSA cases in the first quarter of 2009 at an acute public hospital. In total 100 cases of the superbug were recorded in the first three months of this year.... Read more

Blanchardstown and Beaumont are to merge

Gary Culliton | 22 October 2009

Agreement in principle has been reached on a merger between Beaumont and Blanchardstown Hospitals, with the RCSI providing the academic lead in the new body, Irish Medical Times has learned. A partnership agreement has been signed by the two hospitals... Read more

Philanthropy funds sought for new NCH

Gary Culliton | 22 October 2009

The Health Service Executive (HSE) expects that the combined €12 million annual fundraising revenue generated by Dublin’s three existing children’s hospitals will significantly increase over the coming years, thus contributing to the overall finance of the new national children’s hospital.... Read more

EU junior doctors group to meet in Killarney

Dara Gantly | 22 October 2009

The Permanent Working Group (PWG) of European Junior Doctors is gathering next week in Killarney for their pan-European autumn meeting. IMO President Dr John Morris, who is also PWG EUEEA SC Chairperson, will be among those hosting the event, which... Read more

Crumlin promised 17 new beds by early 2011

Gary Culliton | 20 October 2009

The HSE plans to deliver the 17 new critical care beds Crumlin Hospital considers it requires within 18 months. “We will supply 17 new beds in the new development. We will close the old development but use it as a... Read more

South East plan for reconfiguration due

Dara Gantly | 13 October 2009

The project manager for the reconfiguration of acute hospital services in the South East is due to make a presentation on the progress on the scheme to politicians later this month. Breda Kavanagh will address members of the Regional Health... Read more

X-ray waste all too visible

Gary Culliton | 09 October 2009

Massive waste caused by duplication of x-rays and other imaging tests at hospitals across the country has been revealed in new figures obtained by Irish Medical Times. Radiologists at certain hospitals are taking five times as many x-rays as those... Read more

HSE: 9,000 cancelled procedures so far this year

Gary Culliton | 01 October 2009

A total of 8,935 cancelled procedures have occurred so far this year, the HSE has said. This is 1.4 per cent of overall activity. Between January and June 2009 the acute hospitals admitted over 329,757 day case patients and over... Read more

Blocked beds problem getting worse — Reilly

Gary Culliton | 29 September 2009

New figures show that the ‘blocked beds’ problem is getting worse, according to Fine Gael Health spokeperson, Dr James Reilly. A total of 144,565 bed days were lost to delayed discharges in the first half of the year. Dr Reilly... Read more

Concern over patients unwilling to go private

Gary Culliton | 28 September 2009

The number of patients waiting over nine months that have been recorded by their hospitals as unwilling to accept an offer of private treatment under the National Treatment Purchase Fund scheme is ‘surprising and must be a matter of some... Read more

Hospitals breaching job moratorium already

Dara Gantly | 23 September 2009

The HSE has identified possible breaches of the moratorium on recruitment and promotions in three Dublin hospitals. Increases in employment have been recorded at the Mater, Crumlin and the Rotunda Hospitals, where 15, 10 and 11 new staff were hired... Read more

Only six Monaghan complaints received

Niamh Mullen | 23 September 2009

Monaghan General Hospital received only six complaints from members of the public in 2008 and only four so far this year despite thousands attending the hospital. Records released to Irish Medical Times under the Freedom of Information Act show the... Read more

Ireland spends €100m annually on colon cancer

Greg Baxter | 17 September 2009

Ireland spends about €100 million per year treating colo-rectal cancer, Ireland’s cancer czar told a packed conference in Dublin last week. There is a convincing argument that colorectal screening makes sense, said Prof Tom Keane, the director of the National... Read more

Crumlin to clear scoliosis surgery list by February

Gary Culliton | 17 September 2009

Crumlin Hospital’s backlog of 70 operations to correct spinal deformity is expected to be cleared by February, with children due to be operated upon from later this month. A new initiative to address the waiting list has been agreed between... Read more

Medical card holders spend significantly more time in hospital

Dara Gantly | 15 September 2009

Patients with medical cards spend nearly four days longer in hospital than non-card holders, new statistics have revealed. According to the latest Hospital In-Patient Enquiry (HIPE) data for 2007, released today (Tuesday September 15) by the ESRI, in-patient discharges with... Read more

Discharges wait 100 days

Gary Culliton | 11 September 2009

A total of 89 inpatients whose treatment was completed over 100 days ago have still not been discharged from St James’s Hospital in Dublin, Irish Medical Times has learned. In total, 159 inpatients at St James’s, whose inpatient care is... Read more

Surgeons meet in Galway

Niamh Mullen | 07 September 2009

How to provide general surgery in an environment of increased sub-specialisation was among the topics discussed at last weekend’s Sir Peter Freyer Memorial Lecture and Surgical Symposium. The 34th annual conference took place in Galway.... Read more

Strategy needed at national level for hip fracture care

Gary Culliton | 07 September 2009

A uniform multidisciplinary strategy for patient care must be developed on a national level in order to meet the challenges hip fracture numbers represent, a new study has concluded. This should encompass fragility fracture prevention, hip fracture care pathways, routine... Read more

Alcohol involved in one quarter of Dublin ED attendances

Gary Culliton | 03 September 2009

One in four patients attending hospital emergency departments in Dublin have alcohol-related diagnoses, and one in eight patients are clinically intoxicated at the time of attendance, a new study shows. The contribution of alcohol to fatal traumatic brain injuries is... Read more

Consultant ratio of patients seen is 14:1

Gary Culliton | 02 September 2009

Some HSE consultants treat 14 times more patients than doctors working in the same specialties at other public hospitals, new figures show. Huge variations in patient throughput figures per consultant at hospital outpatients departments (OPDs), are revealed in new HSE... Read more

No more children to receive psychiatric care in adult facilities

Greg Baxter | 27 August 2009

No child under the age of 18 will ever be admitted to an adult inpatient psychiatric care unit – outside of exceptional cases – after December 2011, the Mental Health Commission announced today (August 27). The Code of Practice under... Read more

Cancer Control head Keane wants to stay in Ireland

Niamh Mullen | 25 August 2009

The expert in charge of Ireland’s Cancer Control Programme has said he would like to remain in the country and continue his work after his contract finishes at the end of the year. Professor Tom Keane said Ireland was still... Read more

Harney pledges to 'drive, support and not back off' cancer care reform

Niamh Mullen | 24 August 2009

Opposition from vested interests was the greatest challenge to implementing the Cancer Strategy, Health Minister Mary Harney told a major international cancer conference today (August 24). “Very often people see the losses for a particular institution and do not see... Read more

Routine imaging found unjustifiable

Gary Culliton | 20 August 2009

The routine use of certain imaging procedures to detect cancer (metastases) in asymptomatic, unselected patients with early breast cancer is not justifiable, a new study has found. The economic cost in Ireland of detecting a single unsuspected metastasis is estimated... Read more

UCD grad gets top Brisbane job

Terence Cosgrave | 11 August 2009

A former graduate of University College Dublin’s medical school has been appointed head of the largest Emergency Department in Australia. Associate Professor Alan O’Connor has been appointed to the post of Director of Emergency Medicine in The Royal Brisbane and... Read more

Amalgamation will save €20 million

Gary Culliton | 11 August 2009

Estimates that amalgamation of the three Dublin paediatric hospitls will save €20 million, are ‘conservative’, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has said, adding that ‘it would not be unreasonable to assume that efficiency savings in the order of 10–15 per... Read more

Complaints are averaging 11 per month in Drogheda

Niamh Mullen | 06 August 2009

In the first six months of the year, 66 complaints were received about services at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. All the complaints related to treatment or service delivery (41), the attitude or manner of staff (12) and... Read more

HSE establishes outpatient project to reduce waiting times

Dara Gantly | 06 August 2009

The HSE has established a new national Outpatient Project aimed at reducing patient waiting times and waiting lists – one of its ‘key corporate goals’ in 2009. An Outpatient Project group, under the directorship of Corporate Planning and Control Processes... Read more

Beds to close for summer in Midlands

Gary Culliton | 06 August 2009

A net total of 16 beds have been closed for the summer at the Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar. Temporary contracts for 12 staff at Mullingar, six at Tullamore and 10 at Portlaoise are coming to an end. The HSE has... Read more

HSE speaks in foreign tongue

Gary Culliton | 06 August 2009

HSE staff have to commun-icate with people every day who don’t speak any English. It obviously leads to a lot of problems, but now the HSE has developed an Emergency Multilingual Aid (EMA) box which will assist frontline staff in... Read more

Complaints are averaging 11 per month in Drogheda

Niamh Mullen | 06 August 2009

In the first six months of the year, 66 complaints were received about services at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. All the complaints related to treatment or service delivery (41), the attitude or manner of staff (12) and... Read more

Drogheda CF service continues

Gary Culliton | 01 August 2009

Measures have been put in place to ensure the continuing provision of the paediatric cystic fibrosis (CF) service in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, while its resident CF consultant is on sick leave. Details of this arrangement have been... Read more

95% of Portlaoise Hospital inpatients come through ED

Gary Culliton | 31 July 2009

The HSE has acknowledged that major problems exist at the Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise, where 95 per cent of total inpatient activity is accounted for by emergency cases, new figures obtained by Irish Medical Times reveal. The HSE ‘accepts... Read more

Drogheda gets 113 complaints in 2008

Niamh Mullen | 28 July 2009

Misdiagnosis, undergoing the wrong procedure, being given the wrong drugs and scans being mixed-up were among the complaints made by patients of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda last year. In 2008, 113 complaints were received. Of those, just... Read more

Hospital hung up on complainer

Niamh Mullen | 24 July 2009

The way consultants spoke to patients came in for criticism in complaints made to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda last year. Many complained about the ‘manner’ in which consultants spoke to patients and relatives, as well as the... Read more

Crumlin clears the backlog

Gary Culliton | 24 July 2009

A €2 million deal to clear the backlog of 50 scoliosis patients awaiting corrective spinal surgery at Crumlin children’s hospital, which would involve savings on management of blood and other mechanisms, is due to be completed and with the Health... Read more

‘Early transfer’ pilot programme launched

Niamh Mullen | 24 July 2009

AN ‘early transfer’ pilot programme to reduce the time taken to move patients from the emergency department to a ward has been implemented by the Health Service Executive (HSE) at four hospitals. From July 1, Tallaght Hospital, Beaumont Hospital, Our... Read more

ICTU calls for co-location tax breaks review

Dara Gantly | 24 July 2009

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has called upon the Government to review its system of tax breaks supporting the co-location project. Delegates at the recent (July 7 to 10) ICTU biennial conference in Tralee, Co Kerry carried a... Read more

Patients have to wait up to ten months for test

Gary Culliton | 20 July 2009

New figures obtained by Irish Medical Times reveal the extent of waiting times facing patients in need of ultrasound tests – a key element in the Government’s cancer strategy – with some patients having to wait ten months. The waiting... Read more

Hospitals lose €20 million

Dara Gantly | 17 July 2009

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has been told that hospitals anticipate a full year loss of more than €20 million in private income due to the implementation of the new consultants’ contract. HSE CEO Prof Brendan Drumm has acknowledged that... Read more

Change of plans to mean nursing home at Beacon?

Dara Gantly | 17 July 2009

The company behind Beacon Court in Sandyford wants to convert a substantial part of an 11-storey apartment and office block at the Dublin development into a residential nursing home. Landmark Enterprises Ltd has applied to Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council for... Read more

Stem-cell lab to be removed

Dara Gantly | 17 July 2009

A new high-tech stem cell lab at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin will have to be removed from the hospital in seven years under an order from Dublin City Council (DCC). The single-storey, 89 sqm prefabricated Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant... Read more

Generic prescribing should be protocol, say recommendations

Greg Baxter | 16 July 2009

Hospitals and clinicians should be required by protocol to prescribe generic medicines, off-patent drugs and value-for-money high-tech treatments, according to the An Bord Snip Nua report. They should also have centralised procurement and better management of stocks, the report stated,... Read more

NTPF treatments should be restricted to private facilities - An Bord Snip

Greg Baxter | 16 July 2009

Public hospitals will no longer be allowed to perform procedures under the National Treatment Purchase Fund, if a recommendation of the An Bord Snip Nua report is implemented. Such procedures would be restricted to private facilities and abroad.... Read more

Details needed from St James's

Dara Gantly | 16 July 2009

Dublin City Council (DCC) has requested additional information from St James’s Hospital over plans for a new 2,233 square-metre, three-storey administration block on the hospital campus. The Council has ruled that the proposed Administration Block is located on a section... Read more

Rise in demand for obesity surgery

Niamh Mullen | 15 July 2009

Niamh Mullen takes a close look at the growing area of bariatric surgery in Ireland, where it is carried out, how many people are now opting for it and how much the procedures cost. A public obesity clinic offering weight-loss... Read more

The €6 million euro men/women

Niamh Mullen | 10 July 2009

SURGERIES for morbidly obese Irish people could cost almost E6 million annually in a few years. At a cost of more than E12,000 for a gastric bypass and more than E13,000 for gastric banding, it would cost approximately E5.8 million... Read more

Parents ask for children to be treated in Dublin

Niamh Mullen | 10 July 2009

Parents of diabetic children in Cork are asking to be referred to hospitals in Dublin, where they believe their children will receive superior treatment. Consultant paediatrician at Cork University Hospital (CUH), Dr John McKiernan, said patients were not being treated... Read more

UHCG surgeons taught rare surgical procedure

Niamh Mullen | 10 July 2009

A world-renowned specialist in minimally invasive surgery visited Ireland last week to perform a procedure that has never been done here before. Prof Martin Walz of the University Hospital of Essen in Germany came to University College Hospital Galway (UCHG)... Read more

Visually impaired need holistic care

Niamh Mullen | 10 July 2009

The challenge in meeting the needs of visually impaired children over the next 20 years is to develop holistic care, according to an Irish expert. Prof Jonathan Jackson from the Department of Ophthalmology at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast... Read more

HSE urges staff to get all laptops encrypted

Dara Gantly | 10 July 2009

More than 90 per cent of the 5,400 laptops currently in use by HSE staff have been encrypted. Encryption of all laptops commenced last September, with priority being given to those holding clinical and other sensitive data.... Read more

Mater re-opens emergency department

10 July 2009

The Mater Hospital’s Emergency Department reopened to the public on Sunday, July 5. Extensive repair works were carried out throughout the weekend in the department, which closed on Thursday July 2, due to flood damage. Heavy overnight rains early Thursday... Read more

Migraine Association to tweet its updates

10 July 2009

MIGRAINE sufferers can now get up to date information through Twitter. The Migraine Association of Ireland (MAI) is using the latest social networking phenomenon to update people on news and research from the world of migraine. Up to now, it... Read more

Respite care 'outsourced for Summer'

Gary Culliton | 09 July 2009

A summer care management service is to be introduced at Cherry Orchard Hospitals, which will affect respite care and small number of long-term beds at the hospital over the coming months, the HSE has said. From mid-July alternate arrangements will... Read more

Monaghan's acute medical services to move to Cavan

08 July 2009

The HSE has announced that all acute medical services will be transferred from Monaghan Hospital to Cavan General Hospital on 22/07/09. From that date, there will be no further Emergency services provided in Monaghan Hospital and there will be no... Read more

Drumm slams Crumlin management

Gary Culliton | 08 July 2009

HSE Chief Executive Prof Brendan Drumm yesterday slammed management at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin. Following a high level review of the financial situation at the hospital by Ms. Raymonde O’Sullivan – a Senior Director in the... Read more

Drumm: '€100,000 deficit at Crumlin'

04 July 2009

HSE Chief Executive Prof Brendan Drumm has said that Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin would have a deficit of €100,000 at the end of the year, according to the hospital’s own figures. He rejected reports of a €9m hole... Read more

Outpatient no-shows cost HSE €33m

Gary Culliton | 03 July 2009

The cost to the health service of patients who do not turn up to hospital outpatient clinic appointments may reach €33 million this year. Figures obtained by IMT show that at 30 hospitals monitored by the HSE, there were 35,042... Read more

Consultant level in six areas to fall short by 2020

Dara Gantly | 03 July 2009

There will be a shortage of consultants in six of the nine major specialties in Irish hospitals by 2020, a new workforce report has predicted. It is says that total consultant numbers would need to be almost 1,700 greater than... Read more

New addiction service at St Pat's

Greg Baxter | 03 July 2009

An enhanced addictions and mental health service at St Patrick’s Hospital was launched last week — designed to ease the transition from detox to rehabilitation for inpatients, among other services. The enhanced Temple Centre for Addiction and Mental Health was... Read more

CMH move to Thornton Hall scrapped

Gary Culliton | 02 July 2009

The government has decided that Dublin’s Thornton Hall prison site is “not large enough” to accommodate an enlarged Central Mental Hospital. Minister of State for Health Mr John Moloney said that the HSE “has identified a need for an intellectual... Read more

Mater Hospital damaged by floods

Dara Gantly | 02 July 2009

The Mater Hospital has requested members of the public not to attend the hospital today (July 2) until further notice due to rainwater flooding, which has affected the Emergency Department and other areas. Those requiring emergency attention should make arrangements... Read more

Divine intervention or devilish details?

Dara Gantly | 26 June 2009

While the Government’s co-location project was given a major boost this month in Cork and Limerick, God may have intervened over similar proposals in Dublin. Plans to develop the 196-bed co-located hospital at St James’s have been delayed over the... Read more

Cross-border projects get €30m in funding

Dara Gantly | 26 June 2009

Twelve large-scale cross-border health projects are to benefit from E30 million in new EU funding over the next four years. Patients in Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth should have greater access to ENT, vascular and urology services across the border... Read more

New stroke-care unit opens at AMNCH Tallaght

Dara Gantly | 26 June 2009

The Acute Stroke Care Unit at the Adelaide and Meath Hospital Dublin, incorporating the National Children’s Hospital (AMNCH), Tallaght aims to reduce morbidity and mortality by 25 per cent in stroke patients. Due to be officially opened today (Friday June... Read more

HSE to meet with childrens' hospitals

Niamh Mullen | 26 June 2009

The HSE will meet with the three paediatric hospitals soon to discuss options for facilitating patients who need spinal deformity surgery. Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin comfirmed it submitted a document to the HSE in January with suggestions about... Read more

Hospitals face tight call to draw up new rosters for NCHDs

Dara Gantly | 26 June 2009

Local hospital committees will have their work cut out for them drawing up new rosters incorporating the terms of the Labour Court recommendations, if NCHDs accept the proposals by ballot this week. Doctors had until 5pm on Thursday June 25... Read more

Royal College of Physicians in Ireland opposes introduction of European Working Time Directive

Dara Gantly | 25 June 2009

The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) has called for the European Working Times Directive (EWTD) to be scraped just a month before it is due to be fully implemented. In a damning statement released yesterday (June 24), the... Read more

Crumlin: 'no further ward or theatre closures'

24 June 2009

Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin has announced that no further wards or theatres will be closed at the hospital in the medium term. The hospital faces a challenge in delivering its service plan for 2009 within its allocated budget... Read more

Histopathology patient safety system launched

Niamh Mullen | 22 June 2009

A programme to allow hospitals monitor and evaluate their performance against national benchmarks to improve patient safety was launched this week. The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland Faculty of Pathology, along with the HSE’s National Cancer Control Programme and... Read more

Ennis criteria would shut private hospitals

Dara Gantly | 19 June 2009

If the criteria applied to Ennis General Hospital by the Health Information and Quality Authority was applied to a raft of smaller private hospitals across the country, they too would be facing closure, a leading IMO doctor has warned. Dr... Read more

New diagnostic service launched

Gary Culliton | 19 June 2009

Heath Minister Mary Harney will launch the new National Rapid Prostate Cancer Diagnostic Service today with the first two Rapid Access Assessment Clinics now open at Galway University Hospital and St James’s Hospital. Developed by the two hospitals with the... Read more

INO backs Labour Court recommendation

Gary Culliton | 16 June 2009

Members of the Irish Nurses Organisation, who recently engaged in one day of industrial action at Sligo General Hospital, have voted by over 90%, in favour of the recent Labour Court Recommendation. Nurses and Midwives had taken the action in... Read more

Neurology throughput varies hugely in OPDs

Gary Culliton | 15 June 2009

Consultant neurologists at some hospitals see five times as many new patients as specialists in other hospitals, HSE figures show. Consultants see 104 new outpatients each monthly at Dublin’s Mater Hospital, compared to just 21 in Beaumont. HSE data also... Read more

Crumlin should be ninth centre of excellence

Niamh Mullen | 15 June 2009

OUR Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin should be made a ninth centre of excellence under the Cancer Strategy, according to a leading consultant haematologist. Prof Owen Smith said the Cancer Strategy left out paediatric cancer care and he would like... Read more

Complex acute care to be centralised at one hospital in South

Gary Culliton | 09 June 2009

Complex acute care should be transferred to one hospital, according to a report by Horwath Consulting Ireland and Teamwork Management Services, published today by the HSE in Cork and Kerry. No hospital is reccommended for closure. Acute surgical services will... Read more

Tallaght celebrates nursing heritage

Greg Baxter | 29 May 2009

Tallaght Hospital has kicked off a week of special events to celebrate 400 years of collective nursing service. Ann Donovan, Director of Nursing, said, “We are delighted to be in the unique position of celebrating 400 years of nursing care.... Read more

Oireachtas Committee asks to meet Drumm

28 May 2009

The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children has written to the CEO of the Health Service Executive (HSE), Prof Brendan Drumm and requested that he attend a meeting of the committee as soon as possible in order to discuss... Read more

Sligo strike deferred

Gary Culliton | 26 May 2009

The outcome of conciliation talks yesterday between the HSE and INO / SIPTU on the Sligo General Hospital dispute is that the unions have recommended a deferral of the strike action pending a referral to the Labour Court and the... Read more

Consultants excluded from review

Dara Gantly | 22 May 2009

Hospital consultants have been excluded from a new Government-initiated comparative review of top-level pay rates across Europe, Irish Medical Times can reveal. The international comparison of remuneration levels will be undertaken for the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the... Read more

Nurses' work stoppage in Killarney

22 May 2009

The dispute by INO members at Killarney Community Hospital continues today with a withdrawal of labour from 3-4pm. Members of the Organisation are campaigning against the imposition of changes in the management structures within the Hospital which will inevitably lead... Read more

New system to upgrade diagnostic imaging

Gary Culliton | 22 May 2009

A HSE working group has given the go-ahead for the first stage of a €100 million national system, designed to cut out lost x-rays that have been at the centre of recent cancer scandals. A Project Board has approved the... Read more

ED staff 'could be forced to live in hospitals'

Dara Gantly | 21 May 2009

Emergency department (ED) staff could be forced to live for months in hospitals and even make alternative arrangements for the care of children if an influenza pandemic breaks out, new research has warned. During the SARS epidemic, staff in Hong... Read more

More non-Irish mums giving birth in Coombe

Dara Gantly | 20 May 2009

Twenty-seven per cent of mothers who gave birth at the Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital last year were born outside of the Republic of Ireland, new figures reveal. In total, 2,233 mothers at the Coombe were born outside of... Read more

Temple Street negotiating to have quota raised

Gary Culliton | 20 May 2009

Following the release of the National Treatment Purchase Fund Report, Temple Street Children's Hospital has issued at statement, saying it prioritises the patients on its waiting lists "in accordance to clinical need i.e those with the greatest clinical need in... Read more

Under half of outpatients NTPF contacted attended consultants

Gary Culliton | 18 May 2009

In arranging 12,342 out-patient consultations, 23,056 public patients were contacted, by the The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). Of these 5,579, or 24% of patients were removed from public out-patient waiting lists when on contact they responded that they no... Read more

Three children's hospitals: clinical staff structures to merge

Gary Culliton | 14 May 2009

Health Minister Mary Harney this morning said agreement has been reached that there will be a single Clinical Director for the three Dublin children’s hospitals, at Temple Street, Crumlin and Tallaght, under the new consultant contract. "I hope that can... Read more

Crumlin children's hospital 'to close wards'

Gary Culliton | 13 May 2009

Our Lady's Hospital for Children, Crumlin is to close wards to meet its budget. St Joseph's Ward is to close in ten days time and another ward may possibly also close during the summer. Whether or not the wards will... Read more

Review of services to be done in 10 weeks

Dara Gantly | 11 May 2009

The HSE expects a major review of emergency services in the South to be completed in just 10 weeks, Irish Medical Times has learned. The review of Emergency Departments (EDs) and pre-hospital emergency care in Cork and Kerry commenced last... Read more

New Zealand may offer compensation alternative

Gary Culliton | 08 May 2009

The New Zealand system may offer a viable alternative to Ireland’s system of compen-sation for Healthcare Acquired Infections, according to Dr Theresa Graham’s group Stop Infections Now (SIN). Research has revealed that many people who have acquired an infection while... Read more

'Callous closure' shows disrespect

By Mary Anne Kenny | 08 May 2009

A health advocacy group has attacked the ‘callous closure’ of Monaghan Hospital and said that patients may now be denied admission to Cavan Hospital. “The untimely death of a heart-attack victim from Clare following the night-time closure of Ennis ED... Read more

St James’s intends to spend €15m on drugs

Dara Gantly | 05 May 2009

St James’s Hospital intends to spend up to €15 million on antibiotic, antifungal, antiretroviral and antimicrobial drugs. In a recent Prior Information Notice (PIN), released to alert the market to forthcoming opportunities, the hospital indicated that between €10 million and... Read more

Co-location will be 'gone from day one'

Terence Cosgrave | 01 May 2009

The co-location project whereby private hospitals are built on the campus of voluntary and public hospitals would be abandoned by a Fine Gael-led government, according to Fine Gael health spokesperson, Dr James Reilly. Dr Reilly was speaking to journalists at... Read more

HSE denies massaging ED figures in Mater Hospital

Dara Gantly | 28 April 2009

The HSE has denied accusations that the Mater Hospital is placing trolleys in wards to show improvements in its ED. In a reply to Independent TD Finian McGrath, HSE Hospital Network Manager Angela Fitzgerald said that the Mater utilises ‘holding... Read more

NCHDs 'should get mobiles'

Dara Gantly | 27 April 2009

The IMO should enter discussion with the HSE to develop a contract with a mobile operator to provide every NCHD with a mobile phone, a delegate at the IMO AGM has suggested. Mater NCHD Dr Mark Murphy said the move... Read more

NCHD travel-expenses fund has 'disappeared'

Dara Gantly | 27 April 2009

A former IMO President wants the HSE to explain where more than E10 million in travel and subsistence funding for NCHDs has ‘disappeared’. NCHD Committee member Dr Mick Molloy said an additional £1 million per year in the form of... Read more

Mid-west fears more deaths after ED closure

Niamh Mullen | 24 April 2009

The death of Clare man in an ambulance on the way to Limerick Regional Hospital has ‘reflected the worst fears of the people of the mid-west’ about the reconfiguration of acute services. Fine Gael spokesperson on health, Dr James Reilly,... Read more

Clinical review of Clare patient death

Gary Culliton | 22 April 2009

The HSE is conducting a clinical review of circumstances surrounding Mr Dan McDonnell's care and death with specific reference to the impact the closure of the 24 hour Emergency Department at Ennis General Hospital had on his care. A formal... Read more

New chairman for Temple Street

20 April 2009

PSYCHOLOGIST Dr Frank Dolphin has been appointed chairman of the Children’s University Hospital, Temple Street. Dr Dolphin was formerly a clinical research psychologist at the hospital. He is currently chairman of Rigney Dolphin Ltd, which provides customer, technical and sales... Read more

HSE to push for discharge increase

Gary Culliton | 17 April 2009

The HSE will shortly launch a major new initiative to cut levels of delayed patient discharges from hospitals which will require major changes in the way hospitals operate. New figures show the extent to which beds are blocked by patients... Read more

HSE sets a target to reduce MRSA rates

By Niamh Mullen | 17 April 2009

The HSE has set a target of reducing MRSA rates by six per cent in 2009. From now on, rates of the superbug will be reported on a quarterly basis. A statement from the HSE said: “We did not have... Read more

Ennis should be downgraded — report

Gary Culliton | 16 April 2009

Following its recommendation that Ennis hospital should be significantly downgraded because of safety concerns, HIQA has urged that reviews be carried out of similarly configured hospitals. Clare TD Pat Breen said that HIQA’s report was ‘the beginning of the end... Read more

196 beds for St James's

Dara Gantly | 16 April 2009

Synchrony Properties Ltd has sought planning permission from Dublin City Council (DCC) to develop the long-awaited 196-bed co-located hospital at St James’s Hospital in Dublin. The eight-storey development will be on a 1.148 hectare site in the south western section... Read more

Associate Medical Director for Beacon

Gary Culliton | 15 April 2009

Prof Jan Smith has been appointed Associate Medical Director at Beacon Hospital, Dublin and will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the medical staff, practices, protocols and physicians at the hospital. He has worked in the USA, Italy, South... Read more

Elective services are cut

Niamh Mullen | 15 April 2009

ELECTIVE services at Cavan and Monaghan general hospitals were curtailed for almost two weeks over Easter and the restrictions will apply to roughly a further six weeks this year at each hospital. Elective and gynaecological surgery, minor procedures, endoscopy, day... Read more

1 in 5 should not be in hospital

Gary Culliton | 14 April 2009

A major drive has been launched to reduce inappropriate admissions to hospitals, starting with the north east (NE) — where new figures reveal the number of patients who should never have been admitted is 65 per cent higher than in... Read more

Acute care to cease at Ennis

Gary Culliton | 09 April 2009

Following its recommendation that Ennis hospital should be significantly downgraded because of safety concerns, HIQA has urged that reviews be carried out of similarly configured hospitals. Clare TD Pat Breen said that HIQA’s report was “the beginning of the end... Read more

'National emergency' in EDs still exists three years on from statement

Greg Baxter | 09 April 2009

An urgent national capital plan is needed to rebuild the seven emergency departments that were deemed ‘unfit for purpose’ three years ago by the ED Task Force – and are still deemed unfit, according to President of the Irish Association... Read more

Minister denies rumours of Mallow closure

Niamh Mullen | 09 April 2009

Health Minister Mary Harney has denied rumours Mallow General Hospital is to be closed. She said there were no plans to close any acute hospital and her aim was to provide the right type of acute care in the right... Read more

Beacon: Beaumont co-location construction 'to start this year'

Gary Culliton | 08 April 2009

Beacon Medical Group is confident that its co-location project at Beaumont in Dublin will begin construction later this year and that its hospitals in Limerick and Cork will also proceed. Beacon Medical Group has said it is confident that co-located... Read more

CF unit to go ahead at St Vincent's - Harney

Greg Baxter | 07 April 2009

Minister for Health Mary Harney last night reversed the decision to delay the building of a new €40 million facility that will contain a dedicated cystic fibrosis facility. A new way of funding – which has the State paying the... Read more

Errors led to delay of cancer diagnoses

Gary Culliton | 06 April 2009

Diagnoses of prostate cancer in two patients at University College Hospital Galway (UCHG) were delayed for two years as a result of errors made by a locum consultant pathologist, according to a report released today by the Health Service Executive.... Read more

Decentralisation worsens ED overcrowding

Greg Baxter | 03 April 2009

Overcrowding in emer-gency departments is getting worse as centralisation continues without increased resources, and the problems are going to multiply if the health service faces funding cuts, a spokesman for the Irish Association of Emergency Medicine told IMT. James Binchy... Read more

Clonmel hospitals: 'totally unacceptable'

Gary Culliton | 03 April 2009

"Very serious issues" about standards of care and treatment in the mental health services in Clonmel, have been exposed in the Report of the Committee of Inquiry to Review Care and Treatment Practices in St. Michael’s Unit, South Tipperary General... Read more

Teen services get a boost at St Patrick's

Dara Gantly | 03 April 2009

St Patrick’s University Hospital has announced that its first dedicated inpatient unit for adolescents will open later this year. Services for adolescents with mental health problems will also be boosted with the opening this month of a new, community-based Adolescent... Read more

CF unit decision is 'psychological blow'

Greg Baxter | 03 April 2009

There is enough money to build the much-needed new ward at St Vincent’s that will house a 30-bed isolation unit for cystic fibrosis patients – if CF is prioritised, and if the Government takes into account dropping building costs, the... Read more

Beacon applies again for planning

Niamh Mullen | 03 April 2009

BEACON Medical Group has lodged a second planning application for its proposed private women’s, children’s and maternity hospital in Sandyford. Around €160 million is earmarked for investment in the hospital, which would have the capacity to deliver 3,000 babies every... Read more

Mater Private strategy eliminates MRSA

Greg Baxter | 03 April 2009

The Mater Private Hospital has eliminated MRSA infections following implementation of a programme that reduced infection rates in Scandinavian countries, according to the hospital. The ‘Search and Destroy’ programme was introduced at the Mater Private over the past few years,... Read more

New Cavan unit: 'significant acute services deterioration'

Gary Culliton | 30 March 2009

The new six bay Medical Assessment Unit at Cavan General Hospital will begin to receive patients from today. "It is significant that local GPs have also pointed out to the HSE that attempting to replace 56 acute medical beds in... Read more

First ablation a success for St James's

Dara Gantly | 26 March 2009

The first full endoscopic ablation of Barrett’s oesophagus in Ireland was undertaken at St James’s Hospital, Dublin earlier this month on March 10. Dr Dermot O’Toole, Mr Narayanasamy Ravi and the Oesophageal & Gastric Cancer Unit team carried out the... Read more

Researchers: salts 'can kill MRSA'

Gary Culliton | 25 March 2009

Experts from Queen’s University have discovered new agents that can kill colonies of MRSA and other antibiotic resistant hospital-acquired infections. Hospital cleaners may one day use ionic liquids to clean wards. Brendan Gilmore and co-workers at the Queen's University, Belfast,... Read more

HSE to cease NCHD contracts past July

Dara Gantly | 20 March 2009

The HSE has informed all employers to cease offering contracts of employment to NCHDs for periods beyond July 1. In an internal memo from National Director of Human Resources Seán McGrath, which has been seen by IMT, the HSE also... Read more

49 people on trolleys in Tallaght today

Gary Culliton | 19 March 2009

There were 49 people on trolleys in the emergency department of Tallaght Hospital this morning. There were 44 people on trolleys awaiting admission to Beaumont, accordng to the INO's Trolleywatch. The figures were as follows:... Read more

Overcrowding causing 'major problems' in EDs

Gary Culliton | 19 March 2009

Fine Gael Senate Health Spokesperson, Frances Fitzgerald, has said the number of patients enduring hospital treatment on a trolley continues to be alarmingly high. “ED overcrowding continues to be a major problem. There are signs that the closure of beds... Read more

No new children's hospital until 2014

Gary Culliton | 18 March 2009

Dublin's new National Children's Hospital will not be completed until 2014, Health Minister Harney has said. The development of the National Paediatric Hospital is a priority project for the Government. The project is proceeding as planned and is being overseen... Read more

Healthcare moving towards 'nurse-led or delivered care'

Niamh Mullen | 18 March 2009

GIVING nurses prescribing rights is the biggest change in the profession in recent times, said Chairperson of the Irish Nurses Cardiovascular Association (INCA), Mary O’Connor. She said around 140 nurses were qualified to prescribe and there were no problems with... Read more

Tributes paid to Cavan General doctor

18 March 2009

The death has occurred of Dr Amir Kamal Hassan Musa, who was a registrar in the Anaesthetics Department of Cavan General Hospital. He had worked at the hospital for more than 10 years. “In that time he displayed professionalism and... Read more

Phones of hospital staff contaminated with germs

Gary Culliton | 16 March 2009

Mobile phones used by hospital healthcare workers are often contaminated with germs, including those that can cause illness in hospitalised patients. The Turkish research team of Dr Fatma Ulger and others at Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, swabbed the dominant hand... Read more

Redevelopment of Rehabilitation Hospital on hold

Dara Gantly | 13 March 2009

The redevelopment of the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) in Dún Laoghaire is on hold until a working group on rehab services concludes its work later this year. Minister of State at the Department of Finance Martin Mansergh told the Seanad... Read more

Prison referrals rise to Mater ED

Dara Gantly | 13 March 2009

More than 380 prisoners were referred to the emergency department (ED) of Dublin’s Mater Hospital last year. The figure of 381 referrals until December 18 was an increase of nearly 25 per cent on the previous year, when just 307... Read more

85-year-old turned away from hospitals

Dara Gantly | 11 March 2009

The Government has been heavily criticised for not funding additional step-down beds, after an 85-year-old acutely ill nursing home resident was forced to travel to four Dublin hospitals before being admitted. The elderly patient spent two hours travelling in an... Read more

Emergency medicine group calls for 24-7 emergency social worker service

Greg Baxter | 11 March 2009

Vulnerable members of society – including at-risk children, abused women, and the homeless – are not being effectively treated because of a lack of out-of-hours social worker services, according to the country’s largest group of emergency doctors. There is an... Read more

Four hospitals to be closed to save €1.2 billion

Dan Danaher | 06 March 2009

At least four acute hospitals are facing the possibility of closure following claims about their inclusion in a so-called national Health Service Executive (HSE) hospital closure list. Irish Medical Times has learned the shutdown of Ennis, Bantry, Mallow and Monaghan... Read more

Dublin hospital budgets to be slashed in 2009

Gary Culliton | 06 March 2009

This year’s cash allocations for five Dublin hospitals are significantly lower than has been reported, with Tallaght and St James’s, for example, due to receive €12 million less than in 2008. HSE budget cuts will see Beaumont receiving €11 million... Read more

New Complex Discharge Unit at St. Mary's Hospital

Gary Culliton | 05 March 2009

Mary Harney, T.D, Minister for Health and Children today officially opened the new Complex Discharge Unit at St. Mary's Hospital, Phoenix Park. The Complex Discharge Unit provides care for persons over 65 years whose acute care has been completed in... Read more

Patients wait a year to see neuropsychologist

Niamh Mullen | 03 March 2009

GETTING access to treatment from a multidisciplinary team is the main problem with neurological services in Ireland. Dr Niall Pender, who is a Principal Neuropsychologist at Beaumont Hospital, said that there were only 15 people working in his speciality in... Read more

On course for angioplasty

Niamh Mullen | 03 March 2009

Live angioplasty demonstrations will form part of an international cardiology course taking place at St James’s Hospital on Friday, March 6. Specific areas due to be covered include current uses and limitations of drug-eluting stents focusing on complex lesion subsets... Read more

North Tipp patient waits three hours for an ambulance

Gary Culliton | 02 March 2009

A patient in North Tipperary had to wait more than three hours for an ambulance to arrive last week, according to local Labour Senator, Alan Kelly. “For Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, there is only one ambulance on duty and if... Read more

99 per cent of junior hospital doctors vote for industrial action

Gary Culliton | 27 February 2009

Non Consultant Hospital Doctors (doctors in training), represented by the Irish Medical Organisation, have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action should talks between the IMO and the HSE/Department of Health and Children under the auspices of the Labour Relations... Read more

Trampolines and bouncy castles cause 14 per cent of sport injuries

Gary Culliton | 26 February 2009

A total of 14% of orthopaedic admissions due to sports and recreation injuries were for trampoline/bouncy castle accidents, new research from the Department of Rheumatology, Sports & Exercise Medicine at Cork University Hospital shows. The paper published in the Irish... Read more

Drogheda: Lourdes back 'on call'

Niamh Mullen | 25 February 2009

THE Emergency Department of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda is back “on call” after being on “protective call” for 24 hours. However, in a statement issued this afternoon (Wednesday, February 25) the HSE said the public were requested to... Read more

Northside hospital waiting times up 9%, Southside hospital times down 25%- Bruton

Gary CUlliton | 19 February 2009

The total number of people waiting at Northside Hospitals for operations increased by 345 (up 9%) while on the Southside the number waiting dramatically improved, down 1522 (or 25%). These figures were released by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF).... Read more

INO: 50 people on trolleys in Beaumont

Gary Culliton | 19 February 2009

A total of 52 patients were on Trolleys yesterday in the Emergency Department of Dublin's Beaumont Hospital, according to the Irish Nurses Organisation's (INO) Trolleywatch. The hospital disagreed, saying that at 8am yesterday, there were 44 people awaiting admission (either... Read more

More beds needed – report

Gary Culliton | 19 February 2009

The unpublished Prospectus report on adult critical care services calls for up to 100 new intensive care beds across the country – an increase of almost one third – as well as for critical care units at tertiary hospitals to... Read more

St Vincent's and Beaumont: '35 on trolleys'

Gary Culliton | 18 February 2009

There were 35 patients on trolleys in both Beaumont and St Vincent’s hospitals in Dublin yesterday, according to the Irish Nurses Organisation’s Trolleywatch. There were 34 patients on trolleys in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. Based on the... Read more

'Jobs at risk' if industrial action goes ahead at Portiuncula Hospital

Gary Culliton | 18 February 2009

Staff at Portiuncula Hospital in County Galway have been warned by the HSE that services will be curtailed and jobs put at risk if industrial action threatened by the Irish Nurses Organisation (INO) in support of five senior nurse managers... Read more

Three and a half hour ambulance wait

Gary Culliton | 18 February 2009

A patient in North Tipperary had to wait over three hours for an ambulance to arrive last week according to local Labour Senator Alan Kelly. The incident was caused by overtime cuts in the ambulance service which leave the service... Read more

No ambulances yet for the mid-west

Gary Culliton | 17 February 2009

None of the ambulances needed to service north Tipperary and the Clare/Ennis region are in place, Fine Gael Health spokesperson Deputy James Reilly told the Dáil last week. “Furthermore, these ambulances are to be supplemented by emergency medical technicians or... Read more

Funds needed for air ambulance service

10 February 2009

A charity air ambulance service, which will attend the scenes of accidents in remote areas or where rapid transfer to hospital is needed, is appealing for volunteers to help fundraise to get the service up and running. The air ambulance... Read more

St James’s seeks beds

Dara Gantly | 09 February 2009

St James’s Hospital is looking to purchase 100 beds from nursing homes in the surrounding area in a drive to facilitate the early discharge of patients back into the community. The Dublin hospital has issued a tender to establish baseline... Read more

Tallaght: 31 on trolleys

Gary Culliton | 05 February 2009

There were 31 patients on trolleys at Tallaght hospital today, according to the Irish Nurses Organisation's Trolleywatch. There were 23 patients on trolleys in Cork and Mayo. The following at the totals reported this morning.... Read more

New Drogheda oncology unit

Gary Culliton | 04 February 2009

A new Oncology Day Services Unit was officially opened today at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. The €1.3 million purpose built Unit was officially opened by the Mayor of Drogheda, Frank Maher. This new Unit was developed in response... Read more

Leadership lacking in discharge delays

Gary Culliton | 04 February 2009

A patient in the North East who was medically discharged last April is still in hospital, Fine Gael Health spokesperson Dr James Reilly has said. This was because there is no home care package for the person.... Read more

Nurse writes prescriptions in Castletownbere

03 February 2009

Castletownbere Community Hospital has become the first community hospital in Ireland in which a registered nurse prescriber (RNP) has issued a prescription for patients. Cathy Sheehan, who received her RNP qualifications from University College Cork earlier this month, can now... Read more

'Use Anglo Irish buildings as hospitals, nursing homes'

Gary Culliton | 30 January 2009

The Chief Executive of Charter Medical Group, Mr Dave Shanahan, has said the government could use assets now acquired through Anglo Irish Bank to house hospitals and postpone capital developments under the NDP. “Additionally we could use suitable empty properties... Read more

Transit Lounge has little effect on ED

By Gary Culliton | 29 January 2009

The average emergency department (ED) waiting-time at Beaumont Hospital did not improve following the opening of a ‘transit lounge’ there, a study published in the Irish Medical Journal shows. The average time that patients requiring admission spent waiting for a... Read more

Beaumont Emergency: 35 awaiting admission

Gary Culliton | 27 January 2009

There were 35 people awaiting admission at Dublin's Beaumont Hospital Emergency Department yesterday. There were 25 people on trolleys in Beaumont's Emergency Department awaiting admission and 10 patients in beds in the Admissions Lounge awaiting transfer to beds in wards.... Read more

Forty on trolleys in Cork

Gary Culliton | 23 January 2009

There were forty patients on trolleys at Cork University Hospital yesterday, according to the Irish Nurses’ Organisation’s Trolleywatch. The number on trolleys in Beaumont hospital in Dublin has fallen from 40 to 31, with ten people in the ‘transition lounge’.... Read more

Deadline of sorts for latest acute review

Dara Gantly | 23 January 2009

The long-awaited independent review of acute hospital services in the southern region will be published towards the end of February at the earliest, a senior manager at the Health Service Executive (HSE) has confirmed. Addressing Regional Health Forum members on... Read more

Beaumont 'Transit Lounge' didn't aid waiting times

Gary Culliton | 22 January 2009

The average Emergency Department waiting time at Beaumont hospital, did not improve following the opening of a ‘Transit Lounge’ there, a study published in the Irish Medical Journal shows. The average time that patients requiring emergency admission spent waiting for... Read more

Forty patients on trolleys in Beaumont

Gary Culliton | 22 January 2009

Yesterday there were 40 patients on trolleys in the Emergency Department of Dublin's Beaumont Hospital, and a further ten people in the Admissions Lounge of the hospital. The number of people on trolleys this morning is 19, a spokesperson for... Read more

HSE claims ward closure is 'necessary'

Gary Culliton | 21 January 2009

The closure of the 19 bed St. Bridget’s geriatric ward in Waterford's St. Patrick’s Hospital is "necessary," the HSE has said. It is not viable to continue to accommodate patients in the upper floor of St. Patrick’s, nor is it... Read more

Cuts in overtime and locums to yield €5m in south east

Dara Gantly | 20 January 2009

Hospitals in the south east hope to achieve savings of more than €5 million this year by targeting overtime, absenteeism and the use of locums. According to new cost containment measures for the South East Hospital Group, reductions in overtime,... Read more

Beaumont: 37 with winter vomiting bug

Gary Culliton | 20 January 2009

Yesterday there were 37 patients with the symptoms of Winter Vomiting Bug at Dublin's Beaumont hospital. This included 12 new cases compared to the previous day. The symptoms include include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. The outbreak was officially declared two... Read more

Report's unpublished findings get go-ahead

June Shannon | 20 January 2009

The Health Service Executive (HSE) is planning to commence the reconfiguration of maternity services in Dublin in line with the recommendations of a 2007 report by KPMG, despite the fact that the Executive has yet to publish its findings. The... Read more

Cavan: 'severe pressures' on Emergency, 45 waiting

Gary Culliton | 16 January 2009

All non essential and elective surgery at Cavan General Hospital, is being reviewed and deferred if necessary in consultation with the Consultants. Management at Cavan confirmed that there are currently severe pressures on the Emergency Department at the hospital. Last... Read more

NDHD exodus north will exacerbate problems

Terence Cosgrave | 16 January 2009

Irish hospital doctors will increasingly be travelling north to fill locum positions in Northern Ireland — placing even more pressure on the HSE to compete with the terms and conditions offered by the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). Hospitals in... Read more

HSE hopes to resume Bantry services

Dara Gantly | 15 January 2009

The Health Service Executive (HSE) hopes to resume the discontinued orthopaedic and urology outreach services at Bantry General Hospital (BGH) early this year. Orthopaedic services were provided at Bantry Hospital on the first Thursday of every second month, with approximately... Read more

Mid-west hospitals: next targets?

June Shannon | 14 January 2009

Public patient beds are likely to be cut by 40 per cent, according to health activist Marie O’Connor. In a statement released last week, the member of the Campaign for a Real Public Health Service warned that health analysts ‘say... Read more

Drogheda: reopened since 9am today

Gary Culliton | 14 January 2009

Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda has confirmed that it is back 'on call' for all referrals since 9am this morning (Wednesday) . Currently there are 6 patients in the Emergency Department awaiting admission. If possible, the public are asked... Read more

Winter vomiting bug in St Vincent's

Gary Culliton | 13 January 2009

An outbreak of Norovirus commonly referred to as ‘Winter Vomiting Virus’ is currently affecting 50 patients spread over a number of wards at St Vincent’s University Hospital. To help curtail the spread of the virus within the hospital, St Vincent’s... Read more

Six redundancies at Beacon Medical Group

Gary Culliton | 09 January 2009

There have been six redundancies at Beacon Medical Group, which has signed project agreements for co-located hospitals at Limerick, Cork and Beaumont in Dublin. Planning permission for a maternity hospital in Dublin's Sandyford has not been granted. Planning permission has... Read more

Six hospitals got formal 'risk letters'

Gary Culliton | 22 December 2008

Six hospitals received a formal risk letter from the Health Information and Quality Authority this year, drawing attention to specific and significant risks identified by HIQA assessors on unannounced visits. Examples of risks included not eliminating clinical waste from public... Read more

CUH: programme to assess clinicians

Gary Culliton | 15 December 2008

A Cork group has recently been awarded new EU funding to undertake an e-learning project, Ortho-on-Line. The partners (from Ireland, Greece, and Bulgaria) will develop a web-based platform to support training in the care of patients undergoing Orthopaedic surgery. Doctors... Read more

Coombe has its busiest year yet

Greg Baxter | 11 December 2008

Births increased by five per cent to almost 8,500 at the Coombe Hospital from 2006 to 2007 – which the hospital reported as its busiest year on record. In the introduction to the 2007 Annual Clinical Report, the Master of... Read more

196 children admitted to adult psychiatric wards in first ten months

June Shannon | 11 December 2008

More children were admitted to adult psychiatric units in the first ten months of this year than were admitted in the full 12 months of 2007, according to the latest data from the Mental Health Commission (MHC). The data revealed... Read more

St James's signs co-location agreement

Gary Culliton | 11 December 2008

Synchrony Healthcare has signed an agreement with the HSE and St James’s which will see it build a new facility providing 195 in-patient beds, 72 outpatient beds and eight operating theatres. 

An application for planning permission will now be submitted.... Read more

Cavan General to get €2.25m MRI facility

Ian McGuinness | 10 December 2008

Over €2.25 million is to be spent on an MRI facility in Cavan General Hospital by the Health Service Executive. The HSE recently announced that it had awarded the contract for the project to Siemens Limited of Fitzwilliam Court in... Read more

Involuntary detentions upheld by tribunals

Ian McGuinness | 10 December 2008

The vast majority of decisions to involuntarily detain patients in psychiatric institutions are still being upheld by mental health tribunals. However, the latest figures for involuntary detentions that were revoked at tribunal hearings so far this year, peaked in October,... Read more

Cork hospital visitor restrictions due to vomiting bug

Gary Culliton | 09 December 2008

Strict visitor restrictions are being enforced with immediate effect at CUH/CUMH due to an increased incidence of patients with suspected norovirus - commonly known as the vomiting bug. Visiting times are restricted to 6.30pm – 7.30pm in both CUH &... Read more

TB woman 'detained lawfully'

28 November 2008

A South African woman who has been detained in hospital after refusing to accept treatment for a suspected case of drug resistant tuberculosis has been detained lawfully, the High Court has ruled. Mr Justice John Edwards said this was one... Read more

Beaumont Hospital car park nets €3m

Dara Gantly | 26 November 2008

Revenue received from the car park at Beaumont Hospital over the past four years has exceeded €3 million. Current annual income from the facility up to September stands at €617,384, with last year’s revenue amounting to €819,579. For the years... Read more

Our Lady's site lying idle

Gary Culliton | 25 November 2008

A number of buildings – including listed buildings costing €1.5 million — at our Lady’s Hospital in Cork, have lain idle and have been vandalised, the report of the Public Accounts Committee reveals. Our Lady’s Hospital (grey building) closed in... Read more

Start dates draw near for psychiatric units

Dara Gantly | 21 November 2008

Construction on a new mental health unit at Letterkenny General Hospital could commence as early as March next year, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has confirmed. The proposed-built, single-story, 1,790 square-metre facility is being funded via the National Development Plan,... Read more

Payment for involuntary admissions

21 November 2008

Over €4 million is to be paid by the Health Service Executive to a company that will assist with involuntary admissions of psychiatric patients. The HSE recently announced that the contract, worth €4,128,326, was awarded to Kalbay Limited of Santa... Read more

First robot-assisted surgery in AMNCH

Gary Culliton | 20 November 2008

Tallaght Hospital (AMNCH) launched a new initiative when it used a robot to assist in removing a large colon cancer tumour from a patient. This was the first time that a patient in Ireland had such a major colorectal procedure... Read more

Legionella bacteria in Lourdes water supply

Gary Culliton | 19 November 2008

Bacteria that can cause life-threatening Legionnaires Disease has been discovered in the water supply at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. Legionella was discovered in a 'random routine sampling of water outlets' at the hospital and an information session... Read more

Maternity hospital appeal rejected

Gary Culliton | 17 November 2008

Beacon Medical Group's appeal against refusal of permission for a €160m maternity hospital in Dublin's Sandyford has been rejected by An Bord Pleanala, Irish Medical Times has learned. Constraints on water and drainage were cited as reasons for rejecting the... Read more

Government delivers 5% of promised new consultants

Dara Gantly | 14 November 2008

Just 108 additional and 98 replacement consultant posts have been approved since the Government came into office in June 2007, well short of the 2,000 extra consultants promised in its Programme for Government. According to figures released by the National... Read more

Dilapidated limb-fitting clinic to be relocated

Dara Gantly | 14 November 2008

A decision on the possible relocation of the limb-fitting clinic at St Finbarr’s Hospital to an alternative site in Cork city could be made by the end of the month. Minister of State at the Department of the Environment Deputy... Read more

Beaumont co-location gets Bord Pleanála go-ahead

Gary Culliton | 12 November 2008

The co-located hospital at Beaumont in Dublin has been granted final planning permission, with conditions, following an appeal to An Bord Pleanála, Irish Medical Times has learned. Construction work is due to commence in the first part of next year.... Read more

CUH gets colorectal ANP

Gary Culliton | 11 November 2008

A nurse in Cork University Hospital (CUH) has been accredited as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) in colorectal nursing; a first for the nursing profession in Ireland. Ms Anne Murphy, Coloproctology Clinical Nurse Specialist, received her accreditation from the National... Read more

One in five waiting a year to be admitted

Ian McGuinness | 11 November 2008

Almost one in five people who were on hospital inpatient waiting lists last year had been waiting for a year or more to be admitted to hospital, a Central Statistics Office survey found. The Quarterly National Household Survey, which covers... Read more

CMH plans may be 'shelved'

Gary Culliton | 10 November 2008

Plans to locate the Central Mental Hospital (CMH) at the Thornton Hall prison site may now be shelved, as the Government seeks cash guarantees from the consortium selected to build the prison. The CMH move will be dropped if the... Read more

New emergency theatre now a priority for CUH

Dara Gantly | 10 November 2008

Cork University Hospital hopes to establish a new dedicated emergency theatre early next year. The provision of an in-house emergency theatre is a high priority for CUH management, Hospital Network Manager for the Southern Hospitals Group Mr Gerry O’Dwyer has... Read more

New Oncology Clinical Trials Unit in CUH

Gary Culliton | 10 November 2008

Health Minister Mary Harney has officially opened the Oncology Clinical Trials Unit in Cork University Hospital (CUH). The unit provides access to research studies designed to test new treatments in cancer care. A clinical trial is set up at the... Read more

Young people cardiac risk centre

10 November 2008

A new centre for cardiac risk in young people has been officially opened at Tallaght Hospital in Dublin. Cardiac Risk in Young (CRY) will provide a cardiologist and a facility for 2,000 people to be screened there every year. But... Read more

Cork hospitals should combine strategies in the rollout of cancer scheme

Alan Deeley | 04 November 2008

South Infirmary-Victoria University Hospital should enter into a combined strategy with Cork University Hospital in the rollout of the improved breast cancer care scheme, the Seanad has been told. Cork South Central Senator Jerry Buttimer has asked the Minister for... Read more

Monaghan will have St Vincent's workload

By Alan Deeley | 31 October 2008

The cessation of acute services at Monaghan General Hospital will result in an impossible burden being placed on Cavan General Hospital in its absence – equivalent in medical admissions to those at St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin, a local GP... Read more

Cross-border renal project wins top European award

Dara Gantly | 21 October 2008

Dara Gantly reports on a cross-border initiative on renal care that has won a major European award. A cross-border initiative aimed at improving the care of kidney patients in rural areas in Ireland and Northern Ireland has received a major... Read more

Waterford's new cath lab faces uncertain future

Derbhile Dromey | 21 October 2008

The new cath lab at Waterford Regional Hospital faces an uncertain future, as it has no guarantee that it will receive the funding it needs to continue. The lab received €1.3m when it opened in May, but this will only... Read more

Waterford's new cath lab faces uncertain future

Derbhile Dromey | 21 October 2008

The new cath lab at Waterford Regional Hospital faces an uncertain future, as it has no guarantee that it will receive the funding it needs to continue. The lab received €1.3m when it opened in May, but this will only... Read more

St James’s awards contracts for security and parking services

Ian McGuinness | 15 October 2008

St James’s Hospital has announced that it has awarded two separate contracts for security and car parking services at its campus, but has not stated how much it will spend on these. It announced that Federal Security Group, which is... Read more

Mole mapping clinic opens in Cork hospital

Gary Culliton | 15 October 2008

A new clinic to improve detection of cancerous moles is now up and running at Cork University Hospital (CUH). The new mole mapping clinic, which has been introduced as part of the melanoma service in CUH, is the first of... Read more

IMT cancer story

13 October 2008

A report in the Irish Times of 13 October, confirms a story carried in the Irish Medical Times on July 30. The Irish Times suggests that the HSE look-back review into radiology services in the northeast has found an extra... Read more

Mullingar: 108 bed wing empty for 11 years

Gary Culliton | 10 October 2008

It is now highly unlikely that the HSE will open the 108-bed Phase 2B block at Mullingar Hospital as planned – eleven years after its completion, Irish Medical Times has learned. Health Minister Mary Harney last month pledged that the... Read more

Drumm calls time on EDs

Greg Baxter | 10 October 2008

Urban centres cannot sustain their current number of emergency departments (EDs), and the centralisation currently under way in cancer services must be repeated in areas such as critical care, complex surgery, coronary care and EDs, Prof Brendan Drumm told the... Read more

Insignificant numbers request re-evaluation

Terence Cosgrave | 09 October 2008

The Health Service Executive and the Department of Health can offer to re-evaluate the cases of women seen in breast clinics without any significant financial implications, as the number of women who request re-evaluation is statistically insignificant. Prof Arnold Hill,... Read more

Suspend transfer of patients — Reilly

Gary Culliton | 07 October 2008

Fine Gael Health Spokesman, Dr James Reilly, has said that the transfer of cancer patients from local hospitals to new centres of excellence should be suspended until adequate resources are put in place. “Patients need to be put first and... Read more

Tallaght group calls for review of NCH

By Gary Culliton | 07 October 2008

Tallaght Hospital Action Group has called for an independent cost benefit analysis review of the planned new National Children’s Hospital. “In the current economic environment, it is necessary that this takes place now,” the Group said. “The current Government plans... Read more

MRSA will cost millions

Gary Culliton | 03 October 2008

The HSE faces litigation on a new front over MRSA, with a group now preparing a test case for later this year using consumer laws for the first time. Up until now, MRSA cases have cited medical negligence. Solicitors for... Read more

Rural docs gather

Terence Cosgrave | 02 October 2008

The 23rd annual Rural Doctors Conference will take place this year in the Twelve Hotel, Barna, Co. Galway. This year’s academic pro-gramme will feature Dr Anthony J. Kilbane MD, from Ann Arbor Michigan, who will address the conference on the... Read more

Most children put in adult psychiatric units

Ian McGuinness | 02 October 2008

More than 60 per cent of cases in which children were admitted to psychiatric institutions this year involved them being put into adult units, according to the latest statistics. Mental Health Commission figures from the beginning of January to the... Read more

Kinsale PCT will offer wider range of services

Gary Culliton | 30 September 2008

The Kinsale Primary Care Team (PCT) was launched recently — an initiative involving all seven local GPs based in two medical practices with locally-based HSE professionals. In addition to existing HSE services, the Kinsale PCT will provide additional services such... Read more

NEDOC move out of Navan Hospital

Ian McGuinness | 26 September 2008

North East Doctor On Call is moving out of its centre in Navan Hospital because its members fear they will be left to treat casualty patients when Our Lady’s Hospital’s emergency department (ED) is closed by the HSE. The out... Read more

Deaths could have been avoided — Reilly

Gary Culliton | 25 September 2008

Two tragic deaths at Dublin’s Beaumont Hospital could have been prevented and chronic overcrowding is ‘at the heart of the issue’, Fine Gael Health Spokesman, Dr James Reilly has said. “This chronic overcrowding is due to an inability to discharge... Read more

HIQA investigation of Ann Moriarty and Edel Kelly cases at Ennis General ordered by Harney

Greg Baxter | 24 September 2008

An independent investigation of the management of quality and safety arrangements at Ennis General Hospital, following the latest national breast cancer misdiagnosis scandal, has been ordered by the Minister for Health, Mary Harney. The investigation will be carried out by... Read more

CMH moving to a hospital?

Gary Culliton | 19 September 2008

Moving the Central Mental Hospital (CMH) into the grounds of another Dublin hospital is now the most ‘realistic’ option sought by opponents of the mooted move to the Thornton Hall prison campus. Such a move would be likely to prompt... Read more

New 64-slice CT scanner for CUH

Gary Culliton | 18 September 2008

A new state-of-the-art, 64-slice computed tomography (CT) scanner has been purchased for Cork University Hospital (CUH). The scanner cost €1.1 million and will be used to scan patients with cancer, cardiac and neurology-related illnesses. The main advantage of the new... Read more

Innovation nets €50,000

Gary Culliton | 16 September 2008

The introduction of the ‘Teaghlach’ model of care at Clonakility Community Hospital has seen the hospital being rewarded with additional funding of D50,000, which is part of the HSE’s Innovation Fund 2008. The new approach to caring for patients will... Read more

Clinic to serve 'Dublin and beyond'

Gary Culliton | 16 September 2008

The average number of patients seen per day at the Hermitage Medical Clinic’s Emergency Department (ED) is between ten and 15 and since opening on May 26, up to 600 patients have been seen there. Up to 150 of these... Read more

Woman dies from cancer after receiving 'all-clear' diagnosis

Terence Cosgrave | 10 September 2008

A woman that was given the ‘all-clear’ from cancer in April 2007 was diagnosed as having terminal cancer four months later and died last April. On 25 April 2008 Ann Moriarty, aged 53, died in Cahercalla Community Hospital, Ennis, of... Read more

NICE issue guidelines to reduce risk of pneumonia in patients on ventilator

Gary Culliton | 08 September 2008

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in collaboration with the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) has issued guidance to improve the safety of patients in the NHS in England and Wales by reducing the risk of pneumonia... Read more

Students showcase software solutions

08 September 2008

Software systems which have been developed by UCC students could have a major positive impact on patient care. Students from University College Cork have developed innovative software systems that could change the way in which emergency units, sudden cardiac death... Read more

IHCA calls for nine per cent increase in health spending

Greg Baxter | 08 September 2008

The IHCA has called for a nine per cent increase in revenue spending on health in the 2009 Budget, and a significant increase in capital spend. The IHCA has recommended, in its pre-Budget submission, that revenue expenditure be increased from... Read more

Oral hearing on Cork hospital starts this month

Gary Culliton | 05 September 2008

An Bord Pleanala has scheduled a four day oral hearing starting on 23 September, for an appeal against the granting of planning permission for the proposed €242 million co-located hospital in Cork. The hearing will take place in the Cork... Read more

Co-location credit crunch

Gary Culliton | 29 August 2008

The HSE will sign Project Agreements (PAs) to build and run two co-located hospitals this week – one at Waterford and one at St James’s in Dublin. Following considerable wrangling, bonds totalling €40m will now be posted by the two... Read more

Community nursing unit opens in Cork

27 August 2008

Construction has begun on a 50-bed Community Nursing Unit at St. Mary’s Orthopaedic Hospital in Cork. The Unit is one of four proposed facilities that will provide public long-stay, therapeutic, rehabilitative and medical care for older people. The first of... Read more

Beacon gets care accreditation

Gary Culliton | 26 August 2008

Beacon Dermatology has been awarded Joint Commission International Accreditation (JCI) in recognition of the clinic’s “commitment to providing excellence in safety standards and quality care,” the firm said. Beacon Dermatology is a consultant-led dermatology clinic offering an extensive range of... Read more

International cancer expert has 'near-death' experience

Terence Cosgrave | 15 August 2008

An international cancer expert who was speaking at meetings in Dublin and Cork had what was described as a 'near-death' experience when the aeroplane on which he was flying from Dublin to Cork had to return to Dublin after it... Read more

Buckley contract makes new contract signings less likely

Greg Baxter | 15 August 2008

The decision to increase the salaries of emergency medicine consultants on the Buckley contract makes it less likely that doctors will sign up to the new contract, Irish Medical Times has been told. An arbitrator found that emergency medicine consultants... Read more

HSE South has highest number of involuntary detentions, says report

By Ian McGuinness | 14 August 2008

More patients were involuntarily detained in psychiatric institutions in the Health Service Executive South region last year than any other area. There were 629 instances of involuntary detentions in the HSE South in 2007, with 119 of them in Cork... Read more

Summer cutbacks hit Limerick pathology

By Ian McGuinness | 14 August 2008

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has acknowledged that staffing issues and cost-cutting measures have resulted in some pathology department services at the Mid-Western Hospital in Limerick being curtailed for the summer months. Doctors received a letter last month to inform... Read more

Trolley numbers are down to Minister - O'Reilly

By Gary Culliton | 14 August 2008

Irish Nurses Organisation (INO) figures showed 240 patients on trolleys around the country last Thursday and a staggering 283 on Wednesday. Fine Gael Health spokesperson Dr James Reilly said the average daily number of patients on trolleys in August last... Read more

Interview: Dr Michael Maher, Mater Private: radiotherapy for breast cancer

12 August 2008

Dr Michael Maher is using an innovative new procedure at the Mater Private Hospital that slashes radiotherapy treatment times. One of the most innovative new radiotherapy procedures for breast cancer – still in Phase III trials around the globe –... Read more

Beacon awarded JCI accreditation

Gary Culliton | 11 August 2008

Beacon Hospital has been awarded Joint Commission International Accreditation (JCI). The JCI hospital standards are intended to stimulate continuous, systematic and organisation-wide improvement in daily performance and in the outcomes of patient care. Beacon Renal, also located in the Beacon... Read more

Irish head to Oz in bigger numbers

Greg Baxter | 11 August 2008

An increasing number of NCHDs, both Irish and non-EU, are opting to work in Australia and New Zealand as locums, a spokesman for an Irish locum agency told Irish Medical Times. Mr David Van Der Vegt, co-owner of Cork-based Locum... Read more

Dublin Neurological Institute to open soon

Greg Baxter | 08 August 2008

The Dublin Neurological Institute on Eccles Street will be officially opened on September 19, and international and national experts will gather for a clinical neuroscience day following the opening. Prof Stanley Fahn and Prof Serge Predzborski of the New York... Read more

NICE guidelines issued on induction of labour

Gary Culliton | 07 August 2008

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) and the National Collaborating Centre for Women’s and Children’s Health have just issued updated guidance to doctors and midwives on how to support and care for women being offered and undergoing... Read more

Digital hospital pioneered by Irish firm

Gary Culliton | 06 August 2008

An Irish company is helping to spread the ‘Digital Hospital’ concept around the world with its innovative digital triple-play entertainment and information system called MEDIVistaTM. The system allows patients to access TV, Internet and telephone services from a touchscreen computer,... Read more

New 8-bed unit will not address demand

Greg Baxter | 06 August 2008

The opening, this month, of a temporary eight-bed unit for cystic fibrosis patients in St Vincent’s Hospital will be a ‘huge benefit’ but will not address total demand, the director of CF services there told Irish Medical Times. Dr Charles... Read more

'Robot' improves stroke treatment

Gary Culliton | 31 July 2008

Stroke patients in Tallaght Hospital are now receiving treatment at the hands of a remote presence (RP7) robot doctor currently on trial in the hospital. This is the first of its kind in Ireland. The RP7 device would be used... Read more

Oireachtas Committee to review CMH move

Mary Anne Kenny | 31 July 2008

The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children is to review the proposed move of the Central Mental Hospital (CMH) to a site adjacent to the planned prison site at Thorton Hall, north Dublin. A delegation from the Committee inspected... Read more

New infusion unit for Mullingar

Greg Baxter | 29 July 2008

Thousands of patients in the midlands who need infusion treatment no longer have to travel to Dublin, as a new specialist infusion unit has opened in St Francis Private Hospital in Mullingar. The unit will be operated by Point of... Read more

Galway to get 20-bed psychiatric facility for children and teens

Ian McGuinness | 25 July 2008

Preparations are continuing for the construction of a new 20-bed in-patient psychiatric facility for children and adolescents in Galway. The HSE is now looking for a company or companies to build the facility at Merlin Park Hospital in the city.... Read more

HSE hire agency to recruit consultants

Ian McGuinness | 24 July 2008

The Health Service Executive (HSE) wants to hire an agency to recruit medical consultants worldwide, it has been revealed. The HSE invited recruitment agencies to submit tenders for the contract. The Executive said that the process of recruiting internationally will... Read more

Tallaght Hospital charity loses €1.86m

Ian McGuinness | 22 July 2008

The Adelaide Hospital Society lost €1.86 million in net assets in 2007, according to the charity’s latest financial statements, which were presented to the Companies Registration Office recently. However, the Society, which provides funds for Tallaght Hospital, still had net... Read more

Patients can teach doctors about care

22 July 2008

A new study has shown that surveying hospital patients after they have been discharged can help improve both patient safety and the delivery of care. A new study has shown that an important – but often overlooked – method of... Read more

Planning permission granted for Beacon hospital in Limerick

Ian McGuinness | 22 July 2008

Beacon Medical Limited’s plans for a co-located hospital in Limerick can proceed, after two objections to the proposal were declared invalid by An Bord Pleanála. The company was granted planning permission by Limerick County Council last month for the building... Read more

Carers call on Committee to oppose move

Mary Anne Kenny | 17 July 2008

The Central Mental Hospital Carers’ Group (CMHCG) called on the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children to oppose the Government’s proposal to move the Central Mental Hospital. The plan would see the hospital relocated to a site adjacent to... Read more

Laois hospital to get dementia unit

Mary Anne Kenny | 16 July 2008

Funding of €350,000 (€700,000 full year) has been made available to recruit the core staff required for a new dementia unit in St Vincent’s Hospital, Mountmellick, Co. Laois, it was announced last week. Minister for Disability and Mental Health, John... Read more

Building for better outcomes

13 July 2008

Taking patients' psychological and social needs into account when designing healthcare facilities can improve patient outcomes and even reduce costs. Until relatively recently, the design of healthcare facilities has tended to focus on functional efficiency and, of course, costs. According... Read more

Nurses' jobs are deferred at CUH

Mary Anne Kenny | 11 July 2008

Cork University Hospital (CUH) has deferred the appointment of 48 nurses, who have already been interviewed for positions in the hospital and gone through a week’s induction training – only to be told that there are no jobs for them.... Read more

HSE hires locums based on cost

Greg Baxter | 11 July 2008

The HSE is now considering cost as a deciding factor in the hiring of emergency locums, and there is a fear that this will lead to a marked decrease in the quality of care that patients receive, the Irish Medical... Read more

Surgical registrars refuse on-call shifts

Greg Baxter | 11 July 2008

Cost-saving measures at Louth County Hospital have prompted surgical registrars to refuse to cover on-call shifts, and the IMO has sent a letter to the HSE demanding that hospital management must not ‘bully, intimidate or impose disciplinary sanctions’ to force... Read more

Kerry nurses doing ‘treble time’, says TD

Alan Deeley | 11 July 2008

Reports that psychiatric nurses are ‘doing double and treble time’ at Kerry General Hospital have been denied by HSE South, although it agrees that one-to-one specialising ‘gives rise to overtime in this area’ as demand for mental health services grows.... Read more

St James's stroke unit succeeds

Greg Baxter | 10 July 2008

Greg Baxter talks to Dr Jim Harbison about the success of the stroke unit in St James's Hospital. The introduction of a stroke unit at St James’s Hospital earlier this year has reduced the average length of stay for stroke... Read more

Leaked memo reveals cutbacks

Mary Anne Kenny | 10 July 2008

A leaked memo from the Director of Nursing in Nenagh Hospital has confirmed that acute surgery and overnight work in Nenagh will be moved to the Mid-West Regional Hospital in Dooradoyle and that emergency department services in the hospital will... Read more

Hospital sector to lose 1,800 jobs

Ian McGuinness | 07 July 2008

Ian McGuinness reports on the twists and turns regarding the recruitment ceilings within the HSE. Significant alterations are being made to the employment ceilings within the Health Service Executive and agencies funded by it, according to the latest circular on... Read more

1800 jobs to go in hospitals by 2009

Ian McGuinness | 04 July 2008

Over 1,800 whole-time equivalent (WTE) posts are being cut from Ireland’s hospital sector by the end of 2009 including 45 from the ambulance service — according to internal HSE documents. The details are revealed in the latest HSE circular on... Read more

Safety checklist to improve surgical care

Gary Culliton | 03 July 2008

The Surgical Safety Checklist, which was formally launched in Ireland by Health Minister Harney last month, ‘has the potential to ensure safer surgical care’, according to the Minister. “It should ensure that patients undergo the right operation at the correct... Read more

Adult psychiatric units admit 99 children

Ian McGuinness | 02 July 2008

Nearly 100 children were admitted to adult psychiatric units in the first five months of this year, according to the latest figures from the Mental Health Commission. The figures show that between 1 January 2008 and 31 May 2008, 99... Read more

Doctor loses case against Peamount

Ian McGuinness | 02 July 2008

A doctor who used to work for Peamount Hospital has failed in his attempt to get money that he claimed was owed to him by that institution. The doctor — through the IMO — took a case to the Labour... Read more

No co-ordination at Mater hospital site

01 July 2008

Minister Mary Harney may be ‘blinding us with her enthusiasm’ for a new national children’s hospital, Deputy Joe Costello told Irish Medical Times, but the approach taken by the HSE on the chosen Mater campus lacks coordination. The complete redevelopment... Read more

Cheaper to knock down hospitals

Mary Anne Kenny | 27 June 2008

It would be more cost-effective for Ireland to knock down its existing high-acuity hospitals and re-build them according to evidence-based design, than to attempt to renovate them, according to an expert in hospital design. Speaking in Dublin last week, Prof... Read more

State could face huge bill on MRSA claims

Sandra Ryan | 27 June 2008

The State could be facing up to 1,500 legal claims, and a bill of €500 million, from people with MRSA, according to the State Claims Agency. Ciarán Breen, director of the Agency, has told the Dáil Public Accounts Committee that... Read more

HSE goes ahead with lab report

Greg Baxter | 27 June 2008

The HSE is going ahead with implementation of an unpublished report on medical laboratory restructuring, it has been revealed. Last week an organisation representing laboratory scientists — the Academy of Medical Laboratory Scientists (AMLS) – accused the HSE of implementing... Read more

Five hospitals 'not referring enough' to NTPF

Gary Culliton | 25 June 2008

Health Minister Mary Harney today said she 'could not understand' why a small number of hospitals are not referring sufficient patients to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF), leaving patients waiting needlessly longer than 12 months for surgery. The hospitals... Read more

Oslizlok is new IHCA President

25 June 2008

A Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist in Crumlin has been elected president of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association. Dr Paul Oslizlok was elected this weekend. Dr Margo Wrigley, Consultant Psychiatrist, Mater Misericordiae Hospital, and Dr John O’Dea, Consultant Anaesthetist, Mid Western Regional... Read more

Preparing for a vital medical interview

Rory Hafford | 22 June 2008

In the first article of a new Irish Medical Times series on communication in medicine, Rory Hafford, Senior Consultant with Carr Communications, looks at the best preparation for the medical interview. Doctors are arguably the most highly-trained and best prepared... Read more

Patients at risk from paper-based system

MaryAnne Kenny | 20 June 2008

Patients may be at risk because Ireland still has a predominantly paper-based hospital system, according to Prof Hannah McGee, Director of the Health Services Research Centre at the Dept of Psychology, RCSI. She said the quality of healthcare could be... Read more

Hospital couldn't hit budget empty

Mary Anne Kenny | 19 June 2008

Nenagh General Hospital could not keep within its budget this year even if no patients were treated there, according to Dr Christine O’Malley, a geriatrician at the hospital and former president of the Irish Medical Organisation. “The budget for our... Read more

Number of deliveries at NMH a ‘challenge’

Mary Anne Kenny | 13 June 2008

The number of deliveries at the National Maternity Hospital, together with the continual increase in their complexity, is proving to be a challenge, according to hospital Master, Dr Michael Robson. Writing in the hospital’s Annual Report 2007, Dr Robson said... Read more

Higgins' appeal is 'flawed', says CEO

Sandra Ryan | 12 June 2008

An appeal lodged with An Bord Pleanala delaying the development of added facilities on the Beaumont Hospital campus has been harshly criticised by the hospital’s Chief Executive, Mr Liam Duffy. Former TD and Socialist Party leader Mr Joe Higgins lodged... Read more

Redress needed for women over 40

Alan Deeley | 12 June 2008

A non-adversarial redress system for women who suffered at the hands of Dr Michael Neary, but who are ruled out from the main scheme because of age, is very close, according to Patient Focus. Patient Focus coordinator Ms Sheila O’Connor... Read more

Porters fail in bid for equal pay claim

Ian McGuinness | 11 June 2008

Porters at Cavan General Hospital have failed to win a pay increase in a case taken to the Equality Tribunal. SIPTU took the case, under employment equality legislation, on behalf of 13 of its members. The porters claimed they did... Read more

Under-65s are not getting stroke care

Greg Baxter | 06 June 2008

Thousands of people under 65 who need rehabilitation services following stroke are not getting the care they need from the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire, partly because of limited space and partly because they are not referred there. The... Read more

Mount Carmel gets permission to expand

05 June 2008

Mount Carmel Hospital has been granted permission by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council for the construction of new consulting suites and ultrasound rooms at its facility in Braemor Park in Churchtown. The one-storey building at the Dublin 14 site will also... Read more

Crumlin gets new diabetes facilities

04 June 2008

New facilities for children with diabetes have opened at Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, which include the addition of a second floor to the Endocrinology Unit as well as a new Diabetes IT Management System. According to Dr... Read more

Crumlin gets new diabetes facilities

04 June 2008

New facilities for children with diabetes have opened at Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, which include the addition of a second floor to the Endocrinology Unit as well as a new Diabetes IT Management System. According to Dr... Read more

Cappagh celebrates centenary of care

Dr Nuala O'Farrell | 04 June 2008

Dr Nuala O'Farrell attended the recent Cappagh Hospital centenary celebrations and heard some good-news stories about our health service. Unsung heroes’ are, I suppose, by their very nature retiring, self-deprecatory and avoiding of the limelight. It takes a great atmosphere... Read more

Crumlin ordered to cut back

Greg Baxter | 30 May 2008

Crumlin Hospital must reduce the number of patients it treats, as cutbacks ‘across the board’ are instituted to save €7 million by the end of the year. Irish Medical Times has learned that the CEO of the hospital addressed hospital... Read more

Beacon Group kicks up a stink over sewerage problem

Gary Culliton | 30 May 2008

Amid mounting anger from the developer Beacon Medical Group (BMG) concerning the proposed new €160 million Women’s, Children’s and Maternity Hospital at Sandyford, in Dublin, a meeting was held on 26 May between the owners of BMG and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown... Read more

Supreme Court rules on Mental Health Act

Ed Madden | 29 May 2008

Ed Madden BL on a recent case in which the Supreme Court considered whether a consultant could validly sign a patient's renewal order under Section 15 of the Mental Health Act, 2001 In 1998, MM developed a dangerous schizophrenic condition... Read more

One 'unnecessary death' per month in UCHG's emergency department

Sandra Ryan | 28 May 2008

In a letter to hospital management, doctors in University College Hospital Galway (UCHG) have stated that overcrowding in the hospital’s emergency depart-ment could be resulting in patients’ deaths. The letter states that in April 2008, there was a total of... Read more

Mobile masts meet muted response

Ian McGuinness | 27 May 2008

The issue of mobile phone companies putting equipment on hospital buildings is back in the public eye once more, following two planning applications in Cork and Dublin. Late last year, O2 Communications (Ireland) Limited applied to Cork City Council for... Read more

Ultrasound plus mammography may improve cancer detection

20 May 2008

The addition of an ultrasound examination to mammography for women at high risk of breast cancer resulted in a higher rate of cancer detection, but also increased the number of false-positive results, according to a new study. Supplemental ultrasound screening... Read more

‘Redundant’ oncology consultants needed

Greg Baxter | 14 May 2008

Ireland must create ‘slightly redundant’ oncology posts if research work and clinical trials here are to be comparable internationally, the Associate Director of the National Cancer Research Network in the UK told the sixth International Cancer Conference in Dublin last... Read more

Work begins on new unit for Donnybrook Hospital

Mary Anne Kenny | 14 May 2008

Work has begun on the construction of a new €7.5 million, 30-bed unit at the Royal Hospital Donnybrook (RHD). The new unit will bring the number of in-patient beds up to 230 and it is expected to be completed early... Read more

New guidelines for point of care testing

10 May 2008

The Minister for Health Mary Harney has launched the new ‘Guidelines for Safe and Effective Management and Use of Point of Care Testing’ at the RCPI. Point of care testing (POCT) refers to a laboratory medicine service using small... Read more

Monaghan docs protest to HSE

Sandra Ryan | 10 May 2008

Tension between doctors in the north east and the Health Service Executive (HSE) has increased after a new plan, called the ‘Treat, Stabilise and Transfer Protocol’, was introduced at Monaghan General Hospital - despite doctors’ protests over patient safety. As... Read more

Children still being admitted to adult units

Ian McGuinness | 10 May 2008

Dozens of mentally-ill children are still being admitted to adult psychiatric units, according to the latest figures available. Statistics from the Mental Health Commission show that 92 children were admitted to psychiatric centres from the beginning of January until the... Read more

Older people imprisoned

By Gary Culliton | 10 May 2008

More than half of residents who have been prevented from leaving nursing homes and similar institutions have capacity to decide where they should live, according to Dr Shaun O’Keeffe, of the Department of Geriatric Medicine, at Galway’s Merlin Park Regional... Read more

No tribunals cancelled as a result of strike yet

Ian McGuinness | 06 May 2008

No mental health tribunals have been cancelled or postponed so far as a result of the ongoing industrial action by psychiatric nurses, the Mental Health Commission has said. A spokesperson for the Commission told Irish Medical Times that no tribunals... Read more

Victim of a killing machine

Gary Culliton | 05 May 2008

After removal of the wrong kidney during an operation at Crumlin Hospital, IMT looks back at a case where a Cork man, whom the health service 'failed at every point of contact', died as a result of medical bungling. One... Read more

Tullamore patient-less

Gary Culliton | 02 May 2008

Despite hiring and paying more than one hundred extra staff, a flagship new hospital in the incoming Taoiseach’s constituency has still not admitted a single overnight patient nearly two years after its completion. A new push by HSE management to... Read more

Connolly to temporarily close wards this summer

Gary Culliton | 30 April 2008

Patients will suffer as a result of major cutbacks announced by Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown, which include month-long closures of medical and surgical wards this summer and a ban on repairing non-essential equipment, Fine Gael Dublin West TD Leo Varadkar... Read more

Portlaoise losing out to Taoiseach's Tullamore

Terence Cosgrave | 30 April 2008

Laois-Offaly TD Charles Flanagan has told Irish Medical Times there is worry in Laois that Portlaoise Hospital may suffer the same fate as Monaghan Hospital with a gradual downgrade of services in favour of Tullamore Hospital, which is the political... Read more

Mater to get CT scanner

25 April 2008

A CT scanner is to be bought for the Mater Hospital’s accident and emergency department. The hospital recently invited interested parties to tender to supply the equipment. However, the procedure to award the contract to the winning party will not... Read more

Bon Secours gets re-accreditation

Sandra Ryan | 23 April 2008

Bon Secours Hospital Dublin has been awarded Re-Accreditation by Joint Commission International (JCI) until 2011, following a recent in-depth inspection by a JCI Survey Team. Bon Secours Hospital, Dublin was the first hospital in Ireland to obtain Accreditation by Joint... Read more

Investigation into sale of mental health lands

Ian McGuinness | 18 April 2008

The Comptroller and Aud-itor General, Mr John Purcell has asked his staff to look into the sale of lands owned by psychiatric hospitals. The move comes after the Irish Psychiatric Association sent him a copy of its recently published report,... Read more

Nenagh scanner stalled

Gary Culliton | 18 April 2008

Attempts to get a new €1m CT scanner operational in Nenagh Hospital have met with a ‘stone wall’ approach by the hospital because of the HSE’s national recruitment freeze. The scanner has not been used since it was installed in... Read more

Capacity crisis threatens the north east

Greg Baxter | 18 April 2008

Fears of a major capacity crisis in the northeast are on the rise as consultants in Monaghan General Hospital have appealed to colleagues in Cavan for support, and every GP in Co Monaghan has signed a letter sent to the... Read more

Sewer stink delays mental health unit

Ian McGuinness | 16 April 2008

A row over a sewer has delayed the building of a new mental health unit at Letterkenny General Hospital. The Health Service Executive North West applied to Letterkenny Town Council last August for permission to build the single storey unit... Read more

Beaumont to buy new ultrasounds

Ian McGuinness | 16 April 2008

Beaumont Hospital is to buy an unspecified number of ultrasound machines. The hospital recently invited companies to tender for a contract to provide it with four machines. A spokesperson for the hospital said that while Beaumont will purchase four large... Read more

Staff to come up with cost-cut ideas

Ian McGuinness | 15 April 2008

Management at the Rot-unda Hospital in Dublin has asked staff to come up with ideas that will save the institution money this year. The Master of the Rotunda, Dr Michael Geary; the Director of Midwifery and Nursing, Ms Pauline Treanor;... Read more

Elderly in Leopardstown hospital have 'no privacy'

Sandra Ryan | 15 April 2008

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny (Mayo) criticised the Taoiseach for the lack of fac-ilitites at Leopardstown Park Hospital, which cares for the elderly. Deputy Kenny said he visited the hospital and saw that each ward has 21 beds that are... Read more

No staff for Mercy's ED

15 April 2008

The Health Service Executive (HSE) is in negotiation with management at Mercy University Hospital, Cork over staffing levels for the building’s new accident and emergency unit, completed a year ago but still not in operation. Minister of State at the... Read more

Doctors say transfer will cause chaos

Greg Baxter | 11 April 2008

Catastrophe may result from the ongoing transfer of acute medical work from Monaghan to a badly-overcrowded Cavan General Hospital, according to a letter sent by four Monanaghan doctors to the HSE. The expectation that 22 new beds at Cavan to... Read more

New Beaumont unit to be finished in November

Greg Baxter | 10 April 2008

A new building at Beaumont Hospital with 28 single rooms, six dedicated cystic fibrosis beds and eight high-dependency beds will be finished in November, a Beaumont spokesman told Irish Medical Times. The three-story structure, which will cost about d6.5 million,... Read more

Scanner kept in filling station

Gary Culliton | 10 April 2008

A €0.5 million CT scanner remains in storage behind a Monaghan filling station, despite a ‘leaded room’ having been allocated for such a facility at Monaghan General Hospital. The Health Service Executive (HSE) confirmed that the CT scanner is in... Read more

Psychiatric admissions delayed due to lack of specialist services

Ian McGuinness | 08 April 2008

Emergency admissions to psychiatric institutions are being delayed for several days because of the lack of such specialist services, Dr Siobhán Barry told the recent Irish Medical Organisation AGM. The Dublin-based consultant psychiatrist said that there is only one facility... Read more

Midlands ambulances got help from fire services

08 April 2008

Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caolain (SF, Cavan-Monaghan) wanted to know whether the ambulance service in the midlands was no longer, for financial reasons, seeking help from the fire service. He wanted to know if this was the case in relation to... Read more

Tallaght gets new Acting CEO

02 April 2008

Tallaght Hospital has appointed Dr Gerry Fitzpatrick as Acting Chief Executive Officer to cover the absence of the current CEO, Mr Michael Lyons, who is ill. Dr Fitzpatrick has been Medical Director of Tallaght since 2002. His appointment begins immediately.... Read more

EDs still unfit for use after 2 years

Greg Baxter | 02 April 2008

Seven emergency departments identified as “unfit for purpose” by the ED Task Force are still in that condition two years after the Minister for Health declared ED overcrowding a national emergency, the Irish Association for Emergency Medicine (IEAM) has warned.... Read more

Mercy’s casualty department idle over nursing row

Ian McGuinness | 02 April 2008

A new casualty department at the Mercy University Hospital in Cork is lying idle because of a row over nurse staffing levels, according to a consultant working there. Dr Neil Brennan, a Consultant in Respiratory and General Internal Medicine, told... Read more

MRSA test not available in Ireland

Mary Anne Kenny | 27 March 2008

The first rapid blood-test for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) but, as yet, it cannot be confirmed when the test will be available in Ireland. Traditional microbiology-based cultures require 24-72 hours... Read more

Docs should prepare women for labour

Sandra Ryan | 27 March 2008

New research has found that health professionals working in antenatal care should better prepare women for labour and that antenatal programmes must ‘get real’, since most women are ill-prepared for the experience. A Newcastle University team studied all published literature... Read more

Women have to wait one year for CUMH procedures

Ian McGuinness | 26 March 2008

The Health Service Executive has confirmed that waiting times for routine procedures at the Cork University Maternity Hospital are up to a year, while women who need urgent operations have to wait a month and a half. Mr Gerry O’Dwyer,... Read more

Cardiothoracic unit still waiting on nursing staff

Greg Baxter | 26 March 2008

A new cardiothoracic surgery unit at University College Hospital Galway is still waiting for more than half the number of nurses it requires, after assurances by the HSE two months ago that the unit would be commissioned, the Director of... Read more

3,000 lives could be saved by MAU's

Greg Baxter | 21 March 2008

Greg Baxter reports on the success of the acute medical admissions unit at St James's Hospital, which has had a major impact in reducing mortality rates. The message, when you boil down all the facts and figures, is that 3,000... Read more

Doctors object to Beaumont co-location

Ian McGuinness | 19 March 2008

A number of doctors have lodged objections against the Beacon Medical Group’s planning application for a co-located hospital at Beaumont. Consultant neurosurgeon, Mr Chris Pidgeon, objected to certain aspects of the planning application and he told Dublin City Council by... Read more

Dr Clare remembered with donation to Plan

Mary Anne Kenny | 18 March 2008

Eminent psychiatrist Dr Anthony Clare was remembered by his former colleagues recently when Dr Maeve Daly, Consultant at St Edmunsbury Hospital, Lucan, presented David Dalton, CEO of Plan Ireland, with a donation on behalf of hospital staff in memory of... Read more

Unit cut deaths in half

Greg Baxter | 14 March 2008

The introduction of an acute medical admissions unit (AMAU) at St James’s Hospital has resulted in a massive decrease in mortality over a five-year period – but it has also been revealed that patients admitted out-of-hours are more likely to... Read more

Most attacks not treated in time

Greg Baxter | 14 March 2008

Only about 10 per cent of cardiac arrest victims are being treated in time, a cardiologist at the Mater Hospital has told Irish Medical Times. Dr Joe Galvin said the Irish public would be surprised to know how poor ambulance... Read more

Delays of 18 months for tests

Sandra Ryan | 11 March 2008

Prof. Tom Keane’s plan for cancer services will dramatically reduce the waiting time for a colonoscopy, according to the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern. During a debate in Leaders Questions, Fine Gael leader Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Taoiseach what is being... Read more

Harney quizzed over problems found during Portlaoise investigation

11 March 2008

Labour spokesperson on health, Deputy Jan O’Sullivan, asked the Minister for Health, Mary Harney, what is being done about the problems that the HSE identified in two reports published into breast cancer services at the Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise.... Read more

Expansion of national ambulance service

11 March 2008

Deputy James Reilly (FG-Dublin North) asked the Minister for Health if, with regard to the recent decision by ambulance staff to vote for industrial action, she is truly committed to the development and expansion of a national ambulance service. The Minister... Read more

Martin confirms Naughton letter

By Sandra Ryan | 10 March 2008

Former Minister for Health Mr Micheal Martin, TD has confirmed that his department received correspondance in 2002 from a consultant surgeon in the Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise over concerns about the provision of breast cancer services in the Midlands.... Read more

North-east doctors have serious concerns on plan

Sandra Ryan | 06 March 2008

The Health Service Executive’s (HSE) new plan to manage surgical patients in the northeast has been criticised by doctors in the region, who have “serious concerns” about the proposal, as they say it will threaten patient care. The HSE has... Read more

HSE criticised in reports published by Minister for Health

Sandra Ryan | 05 March 2008

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has received strong criticism for their lack of “overall management and governance” after two reports were finally published today by the Minister for Health and Children, Ms Mary Harney, on the controversial August 2007 decision... Read more

Hospitals criticised for not providing cord cells

Gary Culliton | 28 February 2008

Irish maternity hospitals have been criticised by a leading stem cell researcher for refusing access to babies’ umbilical cords. The hospitals’ stated reason for refusing access is that the cords are stored at a private facility. But Ballymena-born Prof Colin... Read more

New survey needed

Gary Culliton | 27 February 2008

A new quantitative survey in 2009 of a larger sample of migrant nurses is to follow up on the issues raised in the recent RCSI study. The aim is to profile the skills, qualifications and the stage in career of... Read more

HSE set to announce location of new hospital

Sandra Ryan | 27 February 2008

The Health Service Executive (HSE) is expected to announce the location of the new regional hospital in the northeast in coming weeks, almost four months after the original announcement was to be made. Irish Medical Times understands that Ardee and... Read more

HSE reasons for budget cuts at Mallow Hospital ‘misleading’

26 February 2008

Information given by the HSE to explain recent budget cuts at Mallow General Hospital (MGH) is “misleading”, said Deputy Sean Sherlock (Lab-Cork East), who added the hospital’s budget was cut by e571,233 for 2008 due to the HSE’s negative casemix... Read more

Beaumont and RCSI settle their planning dispute on extension

Ian McGuinness | 26 February 2008

A planning row between the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and Beaumont Hospital has been settled. Last March, the College applied to Dublin City Council for permission to build a four-storey extension to its Education and Research Centre, known... Read more

St John's friendliest hospital in Ireland

Sandra Ryan | 26 February 2008

Results from the country’s largest-ever patient satisfaction survey have revealed the five hospitals where patients believe doctors are friendliest — St John’s Hospital, Limerick; Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin; Temple Street Children’s Hospital; the Rotunda Hospital; and... Read more

Anger over cuts in north-east

By Sandra Ryan | 20 February 2008

Over fifty consultants and GPs in the northeast — angry at the Health Service Executive’s (HSE) proposed service cutbacks in the area — have formed an advocacy group and are demanding the HSE consult with them over any changes in... Read more

Half of all new nurses come from outside EU

Greg Baxter | 20 February 2008

More than half of all new entrants to the Irish nursing register in 2006 came from outside the European Union (EU), according to a new study from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI). These nurses also did not... Read more

TD told: end patient contact

19 February 2008

The HSE has asked Deputy Joe Costello (Labour Dublin Central) to stop “unauthorised contact” with Mater Hospital patients, where he protests every Saturday over hospital conditions. “I received a letter from Phil O’Neill, HSE Head of Operations and Clinical Support,”... Read more

IHCA cancels National Council Meeting

By Greg Baxter | 14 February 2008

The Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) has cancelled its National Council meeting on 16 February, blaming the Health Service Executive (HSE) for “inaction” regarding the new consultant contract. The meeting between the National Council and the Contract Negotiating Committee was... Read more

Interim CF facilities are 'inadequate' says CEO

Greg Baxter | 13 February 2008

The interim solution for cystic fibrosis patients at St Vincent’s University Hospital is inadequate, the chief executive of the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland told Irish Medical Times. Mr Godfrey Fletcher said unless more beds are allocated in the interim... Read more

Non-EU doctors frozen out

Ian McGuinness | 13 February 2008

Non-European Union con-sultants who were given permanent status because of employment legislation are now being discriminated against, a prominent Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) activist has claimed. Mr Syed Jaffrey, Chairman of the IMO’s Non-EU Doctors Committee, said there were one... Read more

Money diverted from mental health

12 February 2008

Money allocated to improve mental health services and implement the ‘A Vision for Change’ document were used in other areas, the Minister for Health admitted, due to “expenditure pressures”. “As a result, some of the planned developments in mental health... Read more

In-patient numbers in NE to decrease

12 February 2008

Inpatient numbers in the North-East region will decrease by about 1,800 a year under the HSE’s plans for the area, according to the Minister for Health Mary Harney. She told the Dáil that there will be more day-case activity in... Read more

ED conditions have improved

12 February 2008

There have been major improvements in emergency departments over the last two years, according to the Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney. The Minister was answering a question from Labour health spokesperson Deputy Jan O’Sullivan on what actions are... Read more

Health Minister admits CF facilities not up to standard

Greg Baxter | 12 February 2008

The Minister for Health has admitted that services for cystic fibrosis sufferers are not as good as they should be, and has outlined plans for improving services, which include the temporary expansion of facilities at St Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin. “I... Read more

Dublin ambulance service review still not published

Sandra Ryan | 12 February 2008

A review of ambulance services in Dublin, completed last year, has not been published due to a case against Ireland over the supply of emergency ambulance services by Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB), according to Health Minister Mary Harney. In response... Read more

Beacon acquires heart diagnostic system

12 February 2008

The first General Electric (GE) Digital Biplane Angiography Suite in Europe, which diagnoses coronary artery disease, is now available at the Beacon Hospital. According to Dr Robert Kelly, Consultant Cardiologist at the Beacon: “The introduction of the GE Digital Biplane... Read more

40 more consultants to be appointed

Ian McGuinness | 12 February 2008

The Health Service Executive (HSE) is to announce another 40 consultant posts under the 100 + Scheme by the end of March. Sixty consultant posts were announced in August last year under the scheme, which is aimed at complementing the... Read more

MRSA Cancer Victims not in the original 'Portlaoise 9'

07 February 2008

Irish Medical Times has just learned that the individuals described in this week's front page story (Mis-diagnosed cancer victims have MRSA) and on the IMT website were not in the original group of nine that were mis-diagnosed in Portlaoise. Irish... Read more

Worries over services in HSE North-East

07 February 2008

The Department of Health insists there will be no discontinuation of existing services in the North East until “suitable alternative arrangements” are in place. Speaking on behalf of Health Minister Mary Harney during a debate on the matter, Minister of... Read more

HSE plan to cut beds won't work

By Greg Baxter | 06 February 2008

The plan to introduce medical assessment units (MAUs) at all major hospitals – a key aspect of the Health Service Executive’s (HSE’s) plan to reduce its dependence on acute beds - will not work unless the HSE fundamentally alters its... Read more

Call for national audit of trauma caseload

By Greg Baxter | 06 February 2008

Huge numbers of trauma patients in Irish emergency rooms may be receiving a standard of care that is not good practice - according to an Irish trauma surgeon with extensive experience in trauma care both here and abroad. And Ireland... Read more

Half of survey patients left without VTE treatment

Greg Baxter | 01 February 2008

Hospital physicians must educate on the risks of potentially fatal blood clots, which kill 20 times more patients than MRSA, the author of a massive epidemiological study on venous thrombolembolism (VTE) has said. The ENDORSE study, published in the Lancet,... Read more

Doctors back ED closures

Greg Baxter | 01 February 2008

The country’s most influential emergency medicine group has backed the Health Service Executive’s (HSE’s) plan to shut several emergency departments (EDs) as part of a reconfiguration, but only if the process is completely transparent and if several conditions are met... Read more

Transplant patients live without drugs

Sandra Ryan | 01 February 2008

Kidney transplants may soon be carried out without the need for a lifetime of immunosuppressive drugs, research from the US suggests. Two separate American techniques, both published in the New England Journal of Medicine, have seen recipients recovering from the... Read more

A case of optimism in obstetrics

Sandra Ryan | 25 January 2008

People may be sick of reading about the problems in the health service - especially, of late, problems in women’s health services - but for the medical personnel trying to wade through the problems and simply do their job every... Read more

Scans not examined by doctors

Sandra Ryan | 25 January 2008

A lack of doctors trained in the provision of obstetric ultrasounds means pregnant women do not always have their scans overseen by a clinician, according to a leading Irish obstetrician who has specialised in pre-natal screening. Prof Fergal Malone, from... Read more

Attack is reminder

Sandra Ryan | 25 January 2008

The violent attack on a consultant psychiatrist in Limerick last week is an “unhappy reminder” of the improvements needed in mental health services, particularly forensic services, according to the Irish College of Psychiatrists’ public education spokesperson, Dr Rachael Cullivan. Dr... Read more

Opposition calls for a dedicated CF service

Greg Baxter | 18 January 2008

Pressure on the Government to build a dedicated cystic fibrosis (CF) unit with isolation rooms at St Vincent’s University Hospital is continuing to mount. Fine Gael Health Spokesperson, Dr James Reilly TD, has called delays in the creation of such... Read more

Budget link to virus spread

Greg Baxter | 18 January 2008

The Irish Association of Emergency Medicine (IAEM) has welcomed what it calls an admission by the Health Service Executive (HSE) that its budget cuts have worsened overcrowding in the country’s emergency departments (EDs). IAEM secretary Mr James Binchy said it... Read more

Expansion of stroke service assessment

Ian McGuinness | 18 January 2008

A rapid-access service for patients suffering from transient ischaemic attacks (TIA) has been established at the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar. The service, which began late last year, is based at the hospital’s medical assessment unit and runs from 9am to... Read more

Day care only for new inpatients

Greg Baxter | 11 January 2008

The Health Service Executive wants to increase the ratio of day-case to inpatient procedures by 10 per cent, according to the HSE’s 2008 service plan. About 1.18 million inpatient and day-case procedures are planned for 2008, according to the HSE.... Read more

IMO sets its terms for pilots roll-out

Ian McGuinness | 11 January 2008

The Irish Medical Organisation is resisting the roll-out of European Working Time Directive pilots in hospitals, health service management has claimed. Mr Brendan Mulligan, Assistant Chief Executive Officer for Industrial Relations with the Health Service Executive Employers Agency, said there... Read more

ED charge should not be applied to emergency patients

Greg Baxter | 04 January 2008

It is unfair to increase emergency department (ED) fees for patients who attend the seven EDs that were deemed unfit for purpose by the Emergency Department Task Force Report, the Secretary of the Irish Association of Emergency Medicine has told... Read more

Coombe Master’s criticism rejected

Sandra Ryan | 04 January 2008

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has defended itself after criticism from the Master of the country’s busiest maternity hospital, Dr Chris Fitzpatrick, which claimed an emergency request for more space and resources received no response from the HSE. Dr Fitzpatrick,... Read more

Crumlin Hospital to build infectious diseases unit

Ian McGuinness | 14 December 2007

Crumlin Hospital is pressing ahead with a six-bed unit that will treat patients with infectious diseases. The unit will be an interim solution while the new National Paediatric Hospital is being built. The facility will normally operate as a six-bed... Read more

HSE 'failed to act' on Emergency Dept report

Greg Baxter | 14 December 2007

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has “failed to act on all the major conclusions” of the Emergency Department (ED) Task Force report, the Secretary of the Irish Association of Emergency Medicine (IAEM) has told Irish Medical Times. Speaking on the... Read more

Prescribing by nurses won't help

Greg Baxter | 07 December 2007

Nurse prescribing is not going to have any effect on delays in emergency departments, an Emergency Medicine Consultant at Cork University Hospital (CUH) has told Irish Medical Times. Dr Stephen Cusack said he has no concerns with nurses prescribing “simple,... Read more

CF patients treated in overcrowded and inadequate facilities

Greg Baxter | 07 December 2007

St Vincent’s University Hospital is “totally bursting at the seams” with cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, and the lack of a dedicated facility means many of them have to be placed in rooms where they are at a high risk of... Read more

Private patients now displace public ones

Ian McGuinness | 07 December 2007

The redistribution of resources from private to public patients in acute public hospitals is consistent with allegations that the latter type of patients are being crowded out, a working paper from the Economic and Social Research Institute has suggested. The... Read more

Bed losses no small matter

Ian McGuinness | 30 November 2007

More than 28,000 bed days were lost in the Mater Hospital last year, Irish Medical Times has been informed. The exact figure was 28,105. This is the equivalent of 77 bed days being lost every day in 2006. The least... Read more

Harney unaware of letters

Sandra Ryan | 30 November 2007

The Minister for Health, Mary Harney, said she did not know if there were any letters from doctors concerned about services in their hospital that were “languishing” in her department. The Minister was asked by Fine Gael health spokesperson, Dr... Read more

Consultants' time-management needs to be reformed

Greg Baxter | 23 November 2007

Hospital reform should have minimal effect on consultants but a major impact on support staff, a British expert on efficiency in healthcare delivery has told Irish Medical Times. Mr Simon Dodds, a Consultant Vascular Surgeon at the Good Hope Hospital,... Read more

Budget-saving has delayed hospital procedures– IHCA

Greg Baxter | 16 November 2007

The 2008 Budget must reflect the fact that budget-saving decreases in activity this year have simply pushed those activities to next year, the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) has warned. Assistant General Secretary Mr Martin Varley told Irish Medical Times... Read more

Poor hygiene results– managers’ fault

Sandra Ryan | 16 November 2007

The first National Hygiene Services Quality Review, which analysed hygiene standards in 51 hospitals throughout the Republic, has blamed a lack of proper management in the area of hygiene control for the poor results. The review, done by the Health... Read more

Bed day losses revealed

Ian McGuinness | 16 November 2007

Nearly 9,500 bed days have been lost in Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown this year because of so-called “delayed discharges,” Irish Medical Times has been told. A spokesperson for the Health Service Executive said: “Based on the number of delayed discharges in... Read more

HSE ignorance on A&E depts 'bizarre'

Greg Baxter | 16 November 2007

The Health Service Executive’s (HSE’s) “ignorance and inaccuracy” with regard to delays in emergency departments (EDs) has been described by the President of the Irish Association of Emergency Medicine (IAEM) as “bizarre”. Mr Fergal Hickey, in a letter to the... Read more

Clinical directorates established but HSE is still calling the shots

Greg Baxter | 09 November 2007

Clinical directorates are being established all over the country, but the Health Service Executive (HSE) is still making all the important decisions, the director of the new cardiothoracic surgery unit at University College Hospital, Galway (UCHG) has told Irish Medical... Read more

Children's hospital is 50% bigger than the three existing hospitals

Greg Baxter | 09 November 2007

A rough outline for the new children’s hospital at the Mater Hospital– which will be significantly larger than the current three childrens’ hospitals combined– has been published by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The HSE’s High Level Framework Brief sets... Read more

Patient care comes second to control

Greg Baxter | 09 November 2007

The Health Service Executive (HSE) may not be interested in reaching a deal on a consultant contract with existing consultants, the Secretary General of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) told Irish Medical Times. Mr Finbarr Fitzpatrick said the HSE’s... Read more

Proof of NCHD work problems given to EA

Ian McGuinness | 09 November 2007

The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has written to the Chief Executive of the Health Service Executive Employers Agency (HSE EA), Mr Gerry Barry, to inform him about specific problems surrounding locums and overtime for junior doctors. Mr Fintan Hourihan, Director... Read more

CT scanner sits unused in Mallow General Hospital

Greg Baxter | 09 November 2007

A CT scanner which is estimated to be worth about €1 million has been lying idle in Mallow General Hospital since December 2006, and more than a thousand patients have had to travel to other hospitals in Cork to get... Read more

Beaumont Hospital lost 22,000 bed days in 2006

Ian McGuinness | 02 November 2007

Beaumont Hospital lost 22,000 bed days last year, even though there were enough step-down facilities in the region to take patients from the acute hospital, it has been claimed. Fine Gael Health Spokesperson, and Lusk GP, Dr James Reilly said... Read more

Hospitals discharge 10,000 extra in 2007

Ian McGuinness | 02 November 2007

Hospitals discharged over 10,000 more inpatients than they were expected to from the start of January to the end of August this year, according to the Department of Health. Figures revealed by the Department show that while it was expected... Read more

IHCA agrees to support 68 new posts, with conditions

Greg Baxter | 02 November 2007

The Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) has agreed to support and facilitate the recruitment of 68 new consultant posts, following a request by the Health Service Executive and Department of Health to do so. The IHCA refused to participate in... Read more

Time directive strategy should be implemented for other specialties

Ian McGuinness | 02 November 2007

Successful pilot projects aimed at meeting the conditions of the European Working Time Directive should be rolled out to other specialties and hospitals throughout the state, the Health Service Executive Employers Agency (HSE EA) has said. Mr Brendan Mulligan, Assistant... Read more

Doctor quits Drogheda due to workload changes

Sandra Ryan | 02 November 2007

A consultant oncologist at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, has resigned from his post after the decision by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to change the set up of cancer services at the hospital. Prof Desmond Carney, who has... Read more

SwiftCare's impact on speedier A&E times is debated

Greg Baxter | 02 November 2007

Vhi SwiftCare clinics will have “no impact at all on overcrowded emergency departments”, the Secretary of the Irish Association of Emergency Medicine (IAEM) has told Irish Medical Times. Mr James Binchy, an emergency medicine consultant at University College Hospital Galway,... Read more

'Outrageous claim' by HSE says IHCA

Greg Baxter | 26 October 2007

The Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) has accused the Health Service Executive (HSE) of an “outrageous claim” that only six patients awaiting orthopaedic procedures in Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan, would have wait longer following closure of the unit and claims... Read more

Hospitals say no locum cover for pregnant NCHDs

Ian McGuinness | 26 October 2007

At least three hospitals in Cork and Kerry have stated they will not provide locum cover for pregnant NCHDs, the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has said. Mr Fintan Hourihan, Director of Industrial Relations with the union, said the IMO had... Read more

Finance Dept to decide if patient unit makes 'economic sense'

Greg Baxter | 26 October 2007

Plans for a three-story, 120-bed unit at St Vincent’s University Hospital for patients who need isolation is under review by the department of Finance, Irish Medical Times has learned. IMT understands that the new building, which will provide 120 en-suite... Read more

Doctor gives up on HSE but fights on for Crumlin

Greg Baxter | 26 October 2007

One of Ireland’s most influential doctors, and a leading paediatric oncologist, is retiring five years early because of exhaustion and frustration with the Health Service Executive’s (HSE’s) “dictatorial” approach to healthcare reform. Dr Fin Breatnach, who began working at Crumlin... Read more

When right did not overcome might

Greg Baxter | 26 October 2007

Decisions are being made– both politically and clinically – that are not in the best interests of children, according to one of Ireland’s leading paediatric oncologists, on the brink of his early retirement. Dr Fin Breatnach is retiring five years... Read more

Irish doctor performs life-saving operation on baby in utero

19 October 2007

A consultant in the Children’s University Hospital, Temple St is the first in the country to perform a life-saving procedure on a baby still in its mother’s womb. Ms Helena Rowley, consultant Otolaryngologist, operated on a baby using the Ex-Utero... Read more

Hospitals join up for excellence

Greg Baxter | 19 October 2007

The Mercy University and South Infirmary-Victoria University hospitals in Cork will amalgamate into a single university hospital. The move is in part motivated by the need to protect the expertise in the institutions in a context of increased centralisation, particularly... Read more

Hospital cleanliness– overrated?

Sandra Ryan | 12 October 2007

Gordon Brown recently told the English press that a major spring clean was needed in UK hospital wards to combat hospital acquired infections, particularly MRSA. The words he actually used were “deep clean”, which prompted a dignified comeback from doctors... Read more

Cleaner hospitals are not MRSA-free

Ian McGuinness | 05 October 2007

Cleaning hospitals in order to eliminate MRSA and other infections is not backed up by evidence, according to specialists writing in The Lancet. In an editorial that stemmed from plans in the UK to carry out “deep cleans” in hospitals,... Read more

Strategy welcomed

Sandra Ryan | 05 October 2007

A leading oncologist and former Chair of the National Cancer Forum has said doctors should not be worried about the loss of cancer services from hospitals, due to happen on a phased basis under the Health Service Executive’s (HSE) new... Read more

Hygiene audit results to be published in October

Greg Baxter | 28 September 2007

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) will publish results of the third national hygiene audit in October. It is the first National Hygiene Quality Review undertaken by the Authority. HIQA’s Director of Healthcare Quality, Mr Jon Billings, said: “The... Read more

Non-urgent hospital procedures delayed

Greg Baxter | 28 September 2007

A Leitrim GP who refers patients on a regular basis to Sligo General Hospital says the cutbacks at the hospital could leave many patients waiting more than four years to get non-urgent procedures like varicose vein surgery. Dr Sean Bourke... Read more

IHCA warns of cut-backs yet to come

Greg Baxter | 28 September 2007

Massive staff cutbacks at Sligo General Hospital are just the “tip of the iceberg”, the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) has warned. Mr Donal Duffy, Assistant Secretary General of the IHCA, said the Health Service Executive’s (HSE’s) insistence that the... Read more

IHCA returns to talks

Greg Baxter | 28 September 2007

The Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) returns to bilateral contract talks this week as disagreements over working hours and remuneration issues threatened to draw all sides once again into a stalemate. The IHCA released a statement outlining management’s position on... Read more

Announcements of staff appointments continue

Sandra Ryan | 14 September 2007

Two new consultants have been appointed at Cavan and Monaghan hospitals, despite the recruitment freeze announced by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The HSE announced that consultant surgeon Mr Emeka Nzewi and consultant in emergency medicine Mr Ashraff Butt have... Read more

Six-year wait for CUH is over

Greg Baxter | 14 September 2007

Construction of a new cardiac and dialysis unit at Cork University Hospital (CUH) has begun, six years after an €82.5 million (£65 million) pledge by former Minister for Health, Micheál Martin. He gave permission for the then Southern Health Board... Read more

Cappagh Hospital presses ahead with building new theatres

Ian McGuinness | 07 September 2007

Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital is pressing ahead with the building of four operating theatres and a 16-bed recovery area. The development will take place next to existing theatres and central sterile services department. While part of the development is a... Read more

Tallaght Hospital keeps quiet on tender costs

Ian McGuinness | 31 August 2007

Tallaght Hospital has refused to state how much it will pay for software that would allow it to produce staff rosters, and has also not stated the cost of transport service tenders that it has awarded. The hospital recently announced... Read more

Hanly, the report that refuses to die

Greg Baxter | 17 August 2007

A revival of the Hanly debate was inevitable following the general election, which saw three vocal Hanly critics, two of whom were incumbents, fail to be elected. Dr Liam Twomey and Mr Paudge Connolly, both elected on healthcare platforms and... Read more

Prescribing nurses are open to litigation

Greg Baxter | 10 August 2007

Nurses who prescribe drugs under new legislation should be prepared to face the same medico-legal issues that clinicians face, an article in the most recent issue of Medico-Legal Journal of Ireland states. However the fear of litigation or regulatory sanctions... Read more

Increase in cancer treatments

Sandra Ryan | 10 August 2007

The number of people treated for cancer at the Republic’s biggest hospital, St James’s in Dublin, increased by about 125 per cent in 12 years, preliminary data has shown. Statistics presented by Prof John Reynolds, regional director of cancer services... Read more

HSE is accused of manipulating waiting times

Greg Baxter | 03 August 2007

The Irish Association of Emergency Medicine (IAEM) has accused the Health Service Executive of manipulating emergency department waiting times by moving patients to other departments overnight and “stopping the clock”. Mr James Binchy, IAEM Secretary, said manipulation of waiting times... Read more

Conditions of 1986 junior doctor contract still stands- Morris

Ian McGuinness | 03 August 2007

The Labour Relations Commission (LRC) would agree with the Irish Medical Organisation’s stance that NCHDs are still entitled to locum cover as provided under the 1986 junior doctor contract, the Chairman of the union’s NCHD Committee has said. Dr John... Read more

New standards set by robot surgery

Greg Baxter | 03 August 2007

A new robotic surgical system at Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH) could be performing two to three surgeries a day by 2009, a consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology there told Irish Medical Times. Dr Barry O’Reilly, who will be the... Read more

Hospital addresses golf club fears over new unit

Ian McGuinness | 03 August 2007

The new eight-storey inpatient ward at St Vincent’s University Hospital is going to be of similar height to existing buildings on site, the Elm Park Golf and Sports Club Limited has been informed, according to a hospital spokesman. The information... Read more

Number of options revealed

Sandra Ryan | 03 August 2007

The group carrying out the Health Service Executive’s (HSE) review on maternity and gynaecology services, KPMG Consultants, has revealed that it will be recommending whether or not to have all three Dublin maternity hospitals on one site. At a recent... Read more

Minister urges healthcare staff to brush up on hygiene standards

Greg Baxter | 03 August 2007

The Minister for Health has called on healthcare staff to start taking hygiene standards seriously. “There is a huge lack of knowledge among healthcare workers about hand washing,” she said. Minister Mary Harney, speaking at the launch of a Health... Read more

Financial results to be supplied

Greg Baxter | 27 July 2007

All co-located hospitals shall be contractually required to provide financial results to the Health Service Executive (HSE) upon request, Irish Medical Times has learned. Concern had recently been raised that, like other private hospitals in Ireland, providers could put co-located... Read more

Lack of co-operation causes longer waits

Greg Baxter | 20 July 2007

A lack of close co-operation between the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) and four public hospitals is the reason those hospitals have the largest number of patients waiting more than a year for surgery. Of the nearly 15,000 adult patients... Read more

Modernisation is a must for Dublin‘s maternity hospitals

Sandra Ryan | 20 July 2007

In the past 10 or more years, dozens of health reviews and service reports have been published by the Government, and more recently, by the Health Service Executive (HSE). Some of these reports are famed for gathering dust while waiting... Read more

Resources and staff are imperatives for maternity hospitals

Sandra Ryan | 20 July 2007

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has been called on to retain all services in Dublin’s three maternity hospitals– which are three of the busiest in Europe with over 8,000 deliveries each per year– following the ongoing review to decide the... Read more

Shortage of urologists is declared a 'disgrace'

Greg Baxter | 20 July 2007

The unacceptably low numbers of urologists in Ireland has resulted in a serious problem in the training of junior doctors, a consultant urologist and Medical Council member has told Irish Medical Times. Mr Hugh Bredin said the shortage of publicly... Read more

Maternity hospital move could be advantageous

Sandra Ryan | 13 July 2007

One of the three Dublin maternity hospitals will soon find out if it is joining the new National Paediatric Hospital on the Mater Hospital site in Dublin, with recommendations from the Health Service Executive’s (HSE) ongoing review into maternity services... Read more

CF patients had a three-day wait in ER

Greg Baxter | 06 July 2007

Three cystic fibrosis patients spent three days in the emergency department at St Vincent’s Hospital during a June outbreak of the winter vomiting bug, the chief executive of the Cystic Fibrosis Association (CFA) told Irish Medical Times. Mr Godfrey Fletcher... Read more

NCHDs are positive about their hospital co-workers

Ian McGuinness | 29 June 2007

Junior doctors are happy with the relationship between themselves and non-medics in hospitals and are also positive about the overall atmosphere in the institution where they work. The findings are revealed in an Irish Medical Organisation’s (IMO) survey of non-consultant... Read more

Less hours for pregnant NCHDs

Ian McGuinness | 29 June 2007

Junior doctors’ representatives are looking for exemptions for pregnant NCHDs so they do not have to do on-call work from the 24th week of their pregnancy and do not have more than 10 hours a day from their 28th week... Read more

Children's hospital debate

Greg Baxter | 29 June 2007

The only people in Ireland who support the Mater Hospital site for the national children’s hospital are people with vested interests in the Mater, a Crumlin Hospital anaesthetist has told Irish Medical Times. Dr Brendan O’Hare said that ongoing talks... Read more

Hospital devises new protocol on giving relatives information

Ian McGuinness | 29 June 2007

Senior House Officers and interns at Sligo General Hospital are not to be involved in giving information to relatives about a patient’s medical condition. The Office of the Ombudsman’s annual report for 2006 noted that a protocol on this issue... Read more

Tallaght decision is 'under duress'

Sandra Ryan | 29 June 2007

The decision by the Board of Tallaght Hospital, Dublin, to allow the development of a private hospital on-site has been heavily criticised by opponents of the Government’s co-location plan, including deputy leader of the Labour party Liz McManus. “It was... Read more

Prof Prendiville will be head of Skills Centre

Sandra Ryan | 29 June 2007

Prof Walter Prendiville has been appointed director of Ireland’s first National Clinical Skills Centre (NCSC), based at the Coombe Women’s Hospital. The NCSC, which received funding from the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland... Read more

Antibiotics administered to patients may lead to higher levels of infection

Sandra Ryan | 22 June 2007

A review of the hospital-acquired infection, Clostridium Difficile Toxin (CDT) in the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick has found that Ireland’s incidence of the infection remains high, and that the use of multiple antibiotics needs to be avoided to reduce... Read more

Holles Street must be moved to St Vincent’s

Sandra Ryan | 22 June 2007

The Master and Deputy Chairman of the National Maternity Hospital, Holles St have said they hope the hospital is re-located to St Vincent’s University Hospital following the review of maternity services in Dublin, currently underway by the Health Service Executive... Read more

IHCA says data on HSE Bed Review is not appropriate for Ireland

Greg Baxter | 15 June 2007

The Health Service Executive’s (HSE’s) Acute Hospital Bed Use Review, which found that 13 per cent of patients were inappropriately admitted to hospital, was based on a measurement tool that may not be relevant to Ireland, the Assistant Secretary General... Read more

Patients should wait no longer than six hours

Greg Baxter | 15 June 2007

A six-hour waiting time limit for patients in the country’s emergency departments is achievable and must be implemented as quickly as possible, according to the Irish Association of Emergency Medicine (IAEM). The IAEM has criticised the Health Service Executive’s (HSE’s)... Read more

Clinicians are in charge, says HSE

Ian McGuinness | 15 June 2007

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has denied claims by the former Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) President, Dr Christine O’Malley, that bed managers are preventing inter-hospital transfers of seriously ill patients. A HSE statement said: “The decision on whether or not... Read more

Average cost of treatment falls when patient is over 70

Ian McGuinness | 15 June 2007

The average cost of treating a person in hospital falls after the age of 70, new research has indicated. The finding only applies to people who did not have a terminal illness, according to the research carried out on behalf... Read more

Withheld consultant pay increase an 'irritant'

Greg Baxter | 01 June 2007

The Decision by the Minister for Health to withhold the 2 per cent pay rise for consultants under benchmarking has been described by the Secretary General of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) as nothing more than an “irritant”. Mr... Read more

Distant residences risk lives of NCHDs

Ian McGuinness | 01 June 2007

Junior doctors have been involved in car accidents because some NCHD residences are too far away from hospitals where they are on call, it has been claimed. Dr John Morris, Irish Medical Organisation NCHD Committee Chairman, said some residences are... Read more

Call to end ‘fragmentation’ of breast cancer services

Sandra Ryan | 01 June 2007

The recent case of Rebecca O’Malley, the mother who found out she had breast cancer 14 months after being told by Cork University Hospital (CUH) her biopsy was normal, may not have taken place if official quality assurance guidelines were... Read more

Trolley counts artificially reduced

Ian McGuinness | 25 May 2007

Trolley counts in large hospitals’ accident and emergency departments are being artificially reduced by refusing to admit seriously ill patients from other hospitals, the former Irish Medical Organisation President, Dr Christine O’Malley, has said. Dr O’Malley, who is currently on... Read more

Taking the 'luck' out of palliative care

Dr Max Watson | 18 May 2007

In the ground breaking report of the National Advisory Committee on Palliative Care published in 2001, chairman Dr Tony O’Brien writes: “success… will be judged by the extent to which we all learn to recognise and respond to the complex... Read more